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Biomedical subjects

Y Muto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Muto.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Two cases of endoscopically identified esophageal cancer of the superficial-slightly depressed type.

We experienced two cases of superficial type esophageal cancer. Case 1 was a 72-year-old man in whom endoscopic examination revealed a slightly protruded, partially reddened and faded area of irregular shape corresponding to 0-IIa + IIc (slightly depressed type) of the endoscopic classification of esophageal cancers. Macroscopically, it was a superficial, ill-defined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 2.5 x 2.4 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of a swelling type of stage 0. Case 2 was 55-year-old man. Endoscopic examination disclosed an almost roundish, smooth-surfaced, flat and dull red area corresponding to IIc (slightly depressed type). Macroscopically it was a superficial, semidefined and non-cicatrized solitary tumor measuring 1.0 x 1.0 cm in size. Histologically it was a monofocal, semidifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of stage 0. To detect esophageal cancer at an early stage, the endoscopist needs to inspect the mucosa carefully. In case of males aged over 50, the endoscopist would be well advised to employ the dye-spraying method (Lugol staining method) at the endoscopic examination.

Aged↗

Inhibitory effect of sarcophytol A on development of spontaneous hepatomas in mice.

The inhibitory effect of sarcophytol A, a cembrane-type diterpene isolated from a marine soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum, on development of spontaneous hepatomas was investigated in C3H/HeNCrj mice. A total of 80 mice were divided equally into two groups. The experimental and control groups were given basal diets with and without 0.01% sarcophytol A, respectively. At week 65 of the experiment, mice were examined for hepatomas. The percentages of hepatoma-bearing mice of the subgroup with three or more tumors and the tumor diameters of the group treated with sarcophytol A were smaller than those of the control group. Ridit analysis revealed that these differences were statistically significant. The body weight gain, and the food intake were not significantly different between these two groups. Analysis of blood serum revealed that feeding the diet containing 0.01% sarcophytol A for 65 weeks did not show any adverse effects. These results suggest that sarcophytol A inhibits the development of spontaneous hepatomas without toxicity, and should be considered as a possible cancer chemopreventive agent for hepatomas in humans.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Purification and partial characterization of rat epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein, and its immunohistochemical localization.

Two types of retinoic acid-binding proteins, designated as epididymal retinoic acid-binding protein (ERABP) types A and B, have been purified to homogeneity from rat genital organs. ERABP types A and B had molecular weights of 19,000 and 18,500 and isoelectric points of 5.72 and 5.90, respectively. The absorption spectrum of ERABP complex with retinoic acid had two peaks at 277 and 354 nm, and showed similar uncorrected fluorescence spectra to that of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (CRABP). These ERABPs were identified as major androgen-dependent epididymal proteins by amino acid sequences analyses. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the ERABPs exist in the epithelium of the proximal portion of the epididymis and in the lumen of epididymal canal and seminal tract leading from the epididymis. The existence of ERABP strongly suggests that retinoic acid might be involved in the maturation of spermatozoa.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mechanisms of molecular recognition of tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Interactions of Escherichia coli isoleucyl- and glutamyl-tRNA synthetases and their cognate tRNAs were analyzed by phosphate-alkylation mapping with N-nitroso-N-ethylurea and/or by 1H-NMR analysis. When E. coli tRNA(Ile) was bound with isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, many of the phosphate groups in the anticodon loop and stem and in the D-stem were protected from alkylation. This result is consistent with that of analysis of imino proton resonances due to the secondary and tertiary base pairs. These analyses also suggested that the L-shaped tertiary structure of tRNA(Ile) is distorted upon complex formation with IleRS because of disruption of some tertiary base pairs. In the case of E. coli tRNA(Glu), several phosphate groups in the D-stem and the variable loop were significantly protected by the cognate synthetase. These results indicate that the two tRNAs, unlike other tRNAs studied so far, have some of the "identity determinants" in the D-stem and/or in the anticodon stem.

Alkylation↗

[Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with leukemia cutis, meningeal leukemia, and myelofibrosis].

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with leukopenia. On admission, leukocyte count in the peripheral blood was 1,600/microliters, containing 24.5% blasts of lymphoid appearance, which were negative for myeloperoxidase. A bone marrow aspiration showed hypoplasia with increased blasts (31.6%). The blasts were ultrastructurally positive for platelet peroxidase (PPO) and positive for platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. A diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia was made. Chemotherapy with behenoyl-ara C (BH-AC) (150 mg/day) was transiently effective. However, after three months, numerous nodules without itching appeared over the entire body, particularly on the anterior chest. A biopsy of the skin lesion revealed a diffuse fibrosis with infiltrations of the blasts. Bone marrow aspirations were dry tap, and a bone marrow biopsy showed marked myelofibrosis. Then, severe headache, vomiting, and loss of consciousness developed, and a lumbar puncture revealed infiltrations of blasts. Although methotrexate was intrathecally injected, he died due to the respiratory failure. As far as we know, a case of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia with leukemia cutis and meningeal leukemia is quite rare. In addition, it is interesting that megakaryoblastic leukemia was accompanied with both the fibrosis of skin and the myelofibrosis.

Humans↗

[Serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis].

Serum lipid and apolipoprotein (apo A-I, A-II, A-IV, B, C-II, C-III, E and H) levels were determined in 26 patients with chronic pancreatitis without complications such as liver disease or diabetes mellitus. These patients were divided into two groups, CP-I (n = 16) and CP-II (n = 10), according to the clinical criteria for chronic pancreatitis. HDL-cholesterol and apo A-I levels in CP-I and CP-II groups significantly decreased compared to those in sex- and age-matched healthy controls (p less than 0.05), whereas there were not significant differences in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels between these groups and controls. On the other hand, apo A-IV levels in CP-I and CP-II were 7.1 +/- 1.0 mg/dl and 8.3 +/- 1.5 mg/dl, respectively and these values were significantly lower than 11.2 +/- 1.8 mg/dl in controls (p less than 0.001). In this study, the serum lipids apparently showed normal levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis who had no severe complication, and the markedly low apo A-IV levels in these patients were considered to be mainly due to the decrease of lipid absorption from the intestine.

Adult↗

Purification and partial characterization of a novel cellular retinol-binding protein, type three, from the piscine eyes.

A novel cellular retinol-binding protein, termed type three (CRBP III), was isolated from eyes of the bigeye of tuna. CRBP III showed a molecular weight of 15,400, an isoelectric point of 4.80, alpha 1-mobility in electrophoresis, and a lambda max of 350 nm. All-trans-retinol, the endogenous ligand, could be competitively displaced by retinoic acid but not by retinal. CRBP III was differentiated from purified piscine and rat cellular retinol-binding proteins (CRBP) and cellular retinoic acid-binding proteins (CRABP) by its amino-acid composition, electrophoretic mobility, fluorescence spectra and ligand-binding specificity.

Amino Acids↗

Electron microscopic demonstration of a common structural motif in human complement factor C3 and rat alpha 1-inhibitor 3 (murinoglobulin).

Electron microscopy of two homologous giant proteins revealed that complement factor C3 and alpha 1-inhibitor 3 have a common structural motif of a semicircularly bent string 18-20 nm long with two or three bumps indicating globular domains. C3 had a structure similar to the letter C with a small but distinct hole in the center. alpha 1-Inhibitor 3 was a more complete ring sometimes ajar at one corner. When the latter was treated with a proteinase, it became slightly flattened and adopted a squarish C-shape.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings in a case of mixed hamartoma of the liver.

A case of mixed hamartoma of the liver in a 36 day old female infant is reported herein. The resected tumor was well demarcated, measured 7.5 X 7.0 cm and weighed 179 gm. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of loose fibrous stroma intermingled with spindle and polygonal cells and ductular structures. The spindle and polygonal tumor cells displayed the distinct cytoplasmic staining for alpha-1-antitrypsin. Most of the tumor cells showed the characteristic ultrastructural features of immature hepatocytes, having numerous cytoplasmic microvillous structures, abundant rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. These findings suggest that embryonic liver cells, which are capable of transforming into biliary structures and hepatocytes, serve as essential elements of mixed hamartoma of the liver.

Adult↗

Time course of changes in phenotypes of cultured tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes isolated from human colorectal cancer.

A study was conducted to investigate the time course of changes in phenotypes of cultured tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from 5 patients with colorectal cancer. Following initial incubation with protein phytohemagglutinin (PHA-P, final concentration 0.1 w/v%), one of the inducers of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor, and recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2, 1000U/ml) for 3 days, TIL was further cultured with rIL-2 alone for another 46 to 79 days. Phenotypes of cultured TIL were analyzed by a two color flow-cytometry. The following results were obtained: 1) Yields of TIL isolated from cancerous tissues were 1.0 x 10(6) to 1.6 x 10(6) cells/g wet weight, and TIL grew 31 to 3700 folds in the entire period of culture. These growth rates were significantly higher than those obtained by the conventional method of culture with rIL-2 alone (1 to 720 folds). 2) The population of cytotoxic T cells (CD8(+), CD11(-)) reached the maximum (92%, median value) at 5 weeks of culture, and thereafter gradually decreased to 61% at 9 and 10 weeks. In contrast, the population of activated natural killer cells (CD16(+) and Leu7 (+) or (-)) remained below 4% for the entire period of culture. 3) Maximum enhancement of specific cytotoxic activities of cultured TIL was observed during 3 to 4 weeks in culture, using K562 cells as well as Daudi cells as target cells. In conclusion, addition of PHA-P seems to beneficially affect the growth rate of TIL in culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Plasma retinol transport system and taste acuity in patients with obstructive jaundice.

A study was conducted to elucidate the correlation between the plasma retinol transport system and taste acuity in patients with obstructive jaundice (OJ). Plasma levels of retinol, retinol-binding protein (RBP), transthyretin (TTR) and holo-RBP (retinol-RBP complex unbound to TTR), as well as the threshold of taste acuity, were determined in 8 cases with OJ (6 cases with common bile duct cancer and 2 cases with pancreas head cancer) and in 20 apparently healthy volunteers. These parameters were also measured serially in patients with OJ before and after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Plasma levels of retinol, RBP and TTR were significantly decreased in every patients with OJ as compared with healthy controls, whereas changes in holo-RBP levels were not consistent. Taste acuity was found to be reduced in patients with decreased holo-RBP levels, while the acuity was preserved well in patients whose holo-RBP levels remained normal. Impaired taste acuity was rapidly improved in every patients after treatment with PTBD, significantly correlating with the recovery of plasma RBP and holo-RBP levels, and with the reduction of plasma total bilirubin levels. These results suggest that taste acuity is affected by the plasma retinol transport system, including serum levels of holo-RBP, from which retinol is delivered, presumably through a receptor-mediated manner, to the taste buds.

Adult↗