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Biomedical subjects

Y Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Morimoto.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Basis for monomer stabilization in Rhodopseudomonas palustris cytochrome c' derived from the crystal structure.

The crystal structure of an unusual monomeric cytochrome c' from Rhodopseudomonas palustris (RPCP) has been determined at 2.3 A resolution. RPCP has the four-helix (helices A, B, C and D) bundle structure similar to dimeric cytochromes c'. However the amino acid composition of the surface of helices A and B in RPCP is remarkably different from that of the dimeric cytochromes c'. This surface forms the dimer interface in the latter proteins. RPCP has seven charged residues on this surface contrary to the dimeric cytochromes c', which have only two or three charged groups on the corresponding surface. Moreover, hydrophobic residues on this surface of RPCP are two to three times fewer than in dimeric cytochromes c'. As a result of the difference in amino acid composition, the A-B surface of RPCP is rather hydrophilic compared with dimeric cytochromes c'. We thus suggest that RPCP is monomeric in solution because of the hydrophilic nature of the A-B surface. The amino acid composition of the A-B surface is similar to that of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c' (RCCP), which is an equilibrium admixture of monomer and dimer. The charge distribution of the A-B surface in RCCP, however, is considerably different from that of RPCP. Due to the difference, RCCP can form dimers by both ionic and hydrophobic interactions. These dimers are quite different from those in proteins which form strong dimers such as in Chromatium vinosum, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodospirillum molischianum and Alcaligenes. Cytochrome c' can be classified into two types. Type 1 cytochromes c' have hydrophobic A-B surfaces and they are globular. The A-B surface of type 2 cytochromes c' is hydrophilic and they take a monomeric or flattened dimeric form.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Diastereoselective two-directional synthesis and cation transport ability of the central tristetrahydrofuranyl unit of meso polyether glabrescol as naturally occurring podand.

The diastereoselective synthesis of the central 2,5-linked tristetrahydrofuran (trisTHF) 6 of naturally occurring meso polyether, glabrescol (5), has been achieved in a two-directional manner by the vanadium(V)-catalyzed anti oxidative cyclizations of diol 14. The trisTHF podand 6 and its stereoisomeric analogs 7 and 8 exhibited outstanding cation transport abilities for physiologically important Na+ and K+.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1998

Subcellular localization of protein phosphatase type 1 isotypes in mouse osteoblastic cells.

The cytolocalization of protein phosphatase type 1 catalytic subunits in exponentially growing mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was determined. Formaldehyde-fixed and alcohol-permeabilized cultured cells were reacted with the PP1 alpha, PP1 delta, PP1 gamma 1, and PP1 gamma 2 antibodies using immunohistochemical methods. With PP1 alpha antibody intense staining occurred in the nuclei, while with PP1 delta antibody nucleolus-like bodies were intensely stained. PP1 gamma 1 localized in the perinuclear region and in the nucleus of the cultured cells, with the staining reaction of the former being much stronger than that in the latter. An immunoreaction did not occur in the cells interacted with PP1 gamma 2 antibody or with the normal rabbit serum. Proteins were prepared from the exponentially growing cells and subconfluent cells. Cellular fractionation was also done with the exponentially growing cells and proteins were prepared from each fraction. Each protein preparation was subjected to SDS-PAGE followed by Western blot analysis with the antibodies. PP1 alpha recognized the 38 kDa proteins mainly present in the nucleus, whereas PP1 delta interacted with the proteins in the nucleolar fraction whose molecular weight was estimated as 37 kDa. PP1 gamma 1 antibody recognized a band corresponding to an estimated molecular weight of 36 kDa mainly in the cytosolic fraction. PP1 gamma 2 antibody and the normal rabbit serum did not interact with any proteins prepared from the cultured cells. Our observations show that four different isozymes of protein phosphatases occupy distinct compartments in MC3T3-E1 cells. This differential distribution suggests that these isozymes may play different roles in cellular functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Effects of NMDA receptor glycine recognition site antagonism on cerebral metabolic rate for glucose and cerebral blood flow in the conscious rat.

Glycine is a requisite cofactor for glutamatergic activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Antagonism of glutamate at the NMDA receptor has been shown to cause substantial changes in regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose utilization (CMRglu) and blood flow (CBF). This study examined CMRglu and CBF changes caused by antagonism of glycine at the NMDA receptor recognition site. Rats were anesthetized with halothane and vascular access was obtained. The animals were then awakened. One hour later, either vehicle (control) or ACEA 1021 (5 mg/kg followed by 3.5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) or 10 mg/kg followed by 7 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) was infused intravenously. CMRglu and CBF were then determined. Autoradiographic analysis of 25 regions revealed effects of ACEA 1021 on CMRglu in the frontal, sensory, parietal and auditory cortices and the anteroventral and subthalamic nuclei. These changes deviated less than 15% from control. Effects on CBF were also small. The CMRglu and CBF effects of ACEA 1021 are substantially less than those previously observed for either competitive or non-competitive glutamate NMDA antagonists. We conclude that inhibition of the NMDA glycine recognition site has little or no effect on CMRglu or CBF at the doses examined. This is consistent with the absence of psychotomimetic effects observed for this class of drugs.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Sodium alkyl ether sulfate preparative electrophoresis for the preparation of reaction centers without H-subunit from Rhodopseudomonas viridis.

Sodium alkyl ether sulfate (AES), an analog of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) for the partial decomposition of the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) of Rhodopseudomonas viridis. Unlike SDS, AES did not completely dissociate RC into its subunits but selectively detached H-subunit from RC to give RC(-H) without losing the spectroscopic nature of RC. For the denaturation of RC(-H), AES was found to be as mild as 3-[3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-l-propanesulfonate (CHAPS).

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗
PubMed1998

Transumbilical resection and umbilical plasty for patent omphalomesenteric duct.

This paper describes a transumbilical resection and umbilical plasty for treatment of a patent omphalomesenteric duct (POMD). In a newborn infant with a POMD, a skin incision was made circumscribing the mucocutaneous junction of the protruded duct. The duct was completely extirpated with a wedge resection of the connection to the intestine and an umbilical plasty was performed. The postoperative appearance was excellent. It appears that transumbilical resection and umbilical plasty may be a satisfactory operation for POMD.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

L-lactate oxidase from Aerococcus viridans crystallized as an octamer. Preliminary X-ray studies.

Crystals of flavoenzyme L-lactate oxidase from Aerococcus viridans (LOX) have been obtained that diffract to 3.0 A resolution (P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 118.4 A, b = 138.4 A, c = 194.6 A). Crystallographic studies suggest that the enzyme may exist as an octameric form with non-crystallographic two- and four-fold axes in the center of the octamer. The four-fold axis makes the tetramer tight, and the tetramers lie upon one another by the two-fold axis.

Chromatography, Gel↗
PubMed1998

Follow-up of children after fetal treatment for obstructive uropathy.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in the ability to evaluate fetuses with obstructive uropathy, combined with technologic advances, has allowed successful fetal treatment of these conditions in Japan. We analyzed the prenatal and postnatal clinical courses of patients who underwent shunt placement in utero. METHODS: We treated 6 patients who underwent fetal intervention and were transferred to us for urologic management. Gestational age at detection of abnormalities ranged from 11 weeks to 31 weeks, and fetal intervention was done between 16 weeks and 32 weeks. Excluding 1 infant who was delivered 6 days after the intervention, the mean period between shunt placement and delivery was 17 weeks. RESULTS: Urologic pathology included prune belly syndrome with urethral hypoplasia in 3 patients, cloacal anomaly in 1, posterior urethral valves in 1, and pelviureteric junction stenosis of a solitary kidney in 1. Four patients required ventilation support in the neonatal period, and 2 of them suffered frequent infections during follow-up. Five patients who underwent vesico-amniotic shunt placement continue to require clean intermittent catheterizations via vesicostomy because of hypoactive detrusors and hypoplastic urethras. After urologic treatment, serum creatinine in 5 patients reached a minimum of less than 0.4 mg/dL at some time during the first year of life. Another patient with a minimum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL has moderate renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: From our series, it appears that early (before 20 weeks of gestation) shunt placement in severe lower urinary tract obstruction may benefit renal and pulmonary function. However, its efficacy in regard to bladder function remains questionable: shunt placement does not permit regular storage and evacuation, which may be essential for functional bladder development.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Enhancing effect of N-acetyl-l-cysteine or 2-mercaptoethanol on the in vitro permeation of 5-fluorouracil or tolnaftate through the human nail plate.

The enhancing effects of various vehicles on the in vitro permeation of a hydrophilic model drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), or a lipophilic model drug, tolnaftate (TN), through human nail plates were investigated using a modified side-by-side diffusion cell. Tip pieces from the 5th finger-nail, clipped from healthy volunteers, were used in this permeation study. The swelling and softening properties of the nail pieces were also measured in each vehicle. The weights and stresses of the nail pieces were dramatically changed after immersion in aqueous solvents containing N-acetyl-L-cysteine (AC) or 2-mercaptoethanol (ME). However, no significant change in the physicochemical properties of the nail pieces was found in the lipophilic vehicles. Thus, the water content in the nail plates absorbed from vehicles may relate to their physicochemical properties. Although keratin-softening agents and new skin permeation enhancers did not significantly promote 5-FU permeation compared with water alone, the flux from solvent systems containing AC or ME was substantially higher. In addition, TN permeation from solvents containing AC or ME could be measured, whereas that from other solvents was undetectable. When the AC concentration was increased, the 5-FU permeation and the nail weight increased and the stress of each nail piece decreased. It is concluded from these experimental results that AC and ME may be useful as enhancers for increasing drug permeation through the human nail plate.

Absorption↗
PubMed1998

Effect of several hydrophilic polymers on the permeation of morphine and salicylic acid through excised hairless rat skin.

Several hydrophilic polymers changed the cumulative amount of morphine (MOR) permeated through excised hairless rat skin from 1% MOR hydrochloride solution containing ethanol and l-menthol at concentrations of 40% and 5%, respectively, as permeation enhancers. Anionic polymers (carboxyvinylpolymer and methylvinylether-maleic anhydride copolymer) in the test solutions decreased the skin permeation of MOR, whereas cationic polymers (polyethyleneimine and chitosan) increased it, compared with that without polymers. Little change, however, was observed by the addition of nonionic polymers (hydroxypropylcellulose and polyethyleneoxide). On the other hand, the cationic and anionic polymers in the test solutions decreased and increased, respectively, the skin permeation of salicylic acid (SA) from the same enhancing system containing sodium salicylate. These opposite results were probably caused by the change in escaping tendency of the drugs from the vehicles, which was due to the drug-polymer interaction. (The escaping tendency has a great effect on the drug partition from the polymer solution to the skin barrier). The effect of hydrophilic polymers on the partition was then evaluated by Donnan membrane theory. The partition of MOR was increased and decreased by the presence of polymers having identical and opposite charge to MOR. The low partition of the drugs to skin may also be caused by low diffusion of the drugs in the polymer solutions. The drug release from the hydrophilic polymer solutions was then measured, and the release rate was found to have decreased in the presence of polymers having opposite charge to MOR and SA. It is suggested that these drug-polymer interactions changed the drug partition to skin thus changing the skin permeation of the drug.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1998

Characteristics of spontaneous erythema appeared in hairless rats.

The hairless rat (WBN/Kob-Ht), a dominant mutant rat derived from the Wistar strain, rarely develops spontaneous erythema of a progressive nature on its skin. Erythema was first observed at 8 weeks of age and the incidence at 20 weeks of age was about 4% in both males and females. Histopathologically, erythema was characterised by dermatitis induced by an immunological reaction. Areas of erythema in the skin were decreased by treatment with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) or ciclosporin (25 or 50 mg/kg). These results suggested that erythema on the hairless rat could be used as an animal model of spontaneous dermatitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Fiber numbers per unit weight of JFM standard reference samples determined with a scanning electron microscope. Japan Fibrous Material.

A standard reference 10 sample-set of fibrous minerals were prepared by the Japan Fibrous Material Research Association (JFMRA) under the name of JMF standard reference samples. In this paper, the fiber number per unit weight of JFM standard reference samples was determined with a scanning electron microscope. Fiber numbers per unit weight (f/microgram) and standard deviations observed in this experiment were as follows: glass wool (GW1) 7.0 +/- 0.1 x 10(2), rock wool (RW1) 1.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(3), micro glass fiber (MG1) 6.5 +/- 0.4 x 10(4), refractory ceramic fibers; (RF1) 8.8 +/- 0.7 x 10(3), (RF2) 8.7 +/- 0.8 x 10(3), mullite fibers (RF3) 3.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(3), potassium titanate whisker (PT1) 5.9 +/- 0.3 x 10(5), silicon carbide whisker (SC1) 4.1 +/- 0.4 x 10(5), titanium oxide whisker (rutile) (TO1) 6.4 +/- 0.6 x 10(5), and wollastonite (WO1) 2.4 +/- 0.1 x 10(4). Fiber numbers per unit weight would change in proportion to the cube or cube root of the fiber size if the fibers have the same density and the same aspect ratio. JFM standard reference samples should be used taking into consideration the difference in fiber number per unit weight when users conduct in vitro and/or in vivo (injection) biological experiments using these samples.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

Dental treatment of a prospective recipient of a liver transplant: a case report.

A protocol to treat a carious condition in a young girl scheduled to receive a liver transplantation is described. Teeth with serious caries were filled with amalgam. Those teeth with pulp exposure were extracted. To stop bleeding, sutures and a surgical splint with a periodontal pack were used. All procedures were performed as rapidly as possible to minimize stress. Antibiotics were used sparingly. By improving the oral health of transplant recipients, the chances that the transplanted liver will become infected are much reduced, increasing the likelihood of a successful surgical outcome.

Alagille Syndrome↗
PubMed1998

[Carbon monoxide concentrations during low flow anesthesia].

Elevated carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations have been reported during general anesthesia using inhaled anesthetics. In order to assess the safety of low flow anesthesia, we examined CO concentrations in anesthesia circuit during low flow anesthesia. Thirty patients were randomly divided into two groups. Anesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopental 5 mg.kg-1 and maintained with oxygen 2 l.min-1, nitrous oxide 4 l.min-1 and isoflurane (group H) or oxygen 0.5 l.min-1, nitrous oxide 0.5 l.min-1 and isoflurane (group L). The concentrations of CO in exhaust gas of anesthetic gas monitor were examined by CO sensor (XC-341, Shinkosumosudenki, Tokyo) and COHb was analyzed. The concentrations of CO in group L were significantly higher than in group H. The highest value, however, was 30 ppm. The COHb levels were slightly higher in group L, but the highest value was 2.1%. We consider that these results show no clinical risk and low flow isoflurane anesthesia may be performed safely. Measuring the CO concentrations is helpful for the safety of low flow anesthesia.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Transdermal therapeutic systems].

Advances in transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS) and the technology involved have been rapid because of the sophistications of physiology and biology on skin, enhancing methodology for the skin penetration of drugs, and material and polymer sciences on the pharmaceutical additives. In this review paper, such progress was introduced and the future on the TTS was augured.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1998

[Targeting technology utilizing magnetic microparticulate system for cancer therapy].

Organ level-targeting of anticancer drugs or other relating stimuli to tumor tissues and their circumstances is important in cancer therapy. The successful targeting results in the greater antitumor effect and the lower numerous side effects. Application of a magnet from the outside of body is a useful tool to increase the targeting efficacy. In this review paper, targeting technology utilizing magnetic microparticulate system for cancer therapy was introduced and the future on the magnetic targeting system was augured.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Bronchodilator aerosol propellant interferes with an photoacoustic spectrophotometer respiratory gas analyzer].

A patient with bronchial asthma was scheduled for an operation under nitrous oxide-isoflurane anesthesia. We monitored isoflurane concentrations continuously using an anesthetic gas analyzer (BK 1304). Upon puffing procaterol hydrochloride aerosol for 4 times, the analyzer showed a rapid increase in end-tidal isoflurane concentration. The BK 1304 uses infrared photoacoustic spectrophotometry and it is susceptible to interferences caused by Freon propellants in bronchodilator aerosols. We should take care in monitoring inhalational anesthetics when using aerosols containing Freon propellants.

Aerosols↗