Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Ohta

Publications and source records attributed to Y Ohta.

At least 829 records · Page 46Linked to original sources

The effect of an uptake inhibitor (dihydrokainate) on endogenous excitatory amino acids in the lamprey spinal cord as revealed by microdialysis.

Microdialysis was utilized to test the effects of the uptake inhibitor dihydrokainate (DHK) on endogenous amino acid levels in the lamprey spinal cord in vitro. The level of L-glutamate increased markedly (165%) in the presence of DHK, whereas the level of the glutamate precursor L-glutamine decreased (53%). Since DHK can potentiate or evoke fictive locomotion in the lamprey spinal cord, it is suggested that L-glutamate is released by neurons which take part in the activation of the spinal locomotor network.

Animals↗

DNA blotting analysis of human retroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of spastic paraparesis patients: the viruses are identical to human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1).

The structure of the integrated provirus in cell lines established from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy (HAM) was analyzed. The digestion patterns with 3 restriction endonucleases, Sac I, Eco RI and PstI, of the proviruses integrated in T-lymphoid cell lines derived from the CSF of 4 HAM patients were similar to those of HTLV-1 from adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients. Integrated proviruses in one of these cell lines derived from the CSF were further analyzed in detail with 2 more restriction enzymes, BamHI and Sma I. The results indicate that the retrovirus found in lymphocytes of the CSF from patients with HAM are very similar, if not identical, to HTLV-1 found in the leukemic lymphocytes of ATL patients.

Cell Line↗

Serum and growth factors rapidly elicit phosphorylation of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in intact quiescent rat 3Y1 cells.

A 50-kDa protein was recognized in rat embryo fibroblast 3Y1 cells with an affinity-purified antibody against rat brain Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II). When the cytosolic extract from quiescent 3Y1 cells was immunoprecipitated with the antibody, the 50-kDa protein in the immunoprecipitate became phosphorylated in a Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent manner following exposure to [gamma-32P]ATP. Moreover, the reaction proceeded through an intramolecular mechanism. These results suggest that the 50-kDa protein is a subunit of CaM kinase II in rat 3Y1 cells. The addition of 10% fetal calf serum to quiescent 3Y1 cells caused a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of the 50-kDa protein, which was immunoprecipitated with the affinity-purified anti-CaM kinase II antibody. The phosphorylation of CaM kinase II was detected as early as 20 s after the addition of serum, reached the maximal level at 2 min, and decreased to the basal level within 60 min. Platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor also elicited the phosphorylation of the 50-kDa protein in quiescent 3Y1 cells, while neither insulin nor 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate did. Calcium ionophores, A23187 and ionomycin, also caused the phosphorylation of the protein in 3Y1 cells. Moreover, phosphopeptide mappings of the phosphorylated 50-kDa subunit generated in response to serum, EGF, and A23187 yielded patterns similar to that generated from the immunoprecipitated 50-kDa subunit phosphorylated in vitro. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the phosphorylated subunit demonstrated that serine residue was the major amino acid labeled under any condition. These results suggest that CaM kinase II undergoes phosphorylation in response to various stimuli that can increase the free Ca2+ concentration in the cytoplasm of quiescent fibroblast cells and therefore probably mediates at least some of the biological actions of growth factors.

Animals↗

Possible target neurons of the reticulospinal cholecystokinin (CCK) projection to the lamprey spinal cord: immunohistochemistry combined with intracellular staining with lucifer yellow.

A subpopulation of reticulospinal neurons in the posterior rhombencephalic reticular nucleus in lamprey contains a cholecystokinin (CCK)-like peptide. Varicosities of these neurons, visualized by immunohistofluorescence, were found to be in close apposition to Lucifer yellow-filled spinal motoneurons and giant relay interneurons. Certain other types of interneurons and primary sensory neurons had no, or very few, close contacts with CCK-immunoreactive boutons.

Animals↗

Expression of Ley antigen in human immunodeficiency virus-infected human T cell lines and in peripheral lymphocytes of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC).

Ley determinant (Fuc alpha 1----2Gal beta 1----4[Fuc alpha 1----3]GlcNAc beta 1----R) defined by mAb BM-1 is highly expressed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected T cell lines and in CD3+ peripheral mature T cells of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or with AIDS-related complex (ARC). Ley expression increased greatly in the CD3+ population in the advanced stage of AIDS when the CD4+ population decreased greatly. Six other carbohydrate antigens tested by their respective mAbs were not detected in these same cells. None of the carbohydrate antigens tested by the seven mAbs used in this study were found in noninfected T cell lines and in normal peripheral blood lymphocytes.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Isolation of simian immunodeficiency virus from African green monkeys and seroepidemiologic survey of the virus in various non-human primates.

Sixteen isolates of simian retrovirus closely related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were obtained from healthy African green monkeys (AGM) (Cercopithecus aethiops). The first isolate was obtained from a monkey seropositive for HIV, and the others were isolated from monkeys harboring antibodies to the first isolate. These simian retroviruses were referred to as simian immunodeficiency virus from AGM, SIV[AGM], due to their cross-reactivities with HIV structural proteins. These SIV[AGM] isolates were found by Western blotting analysis to have virus-specific proteins of 120, 66, 55, 32-40, 24 and 17 kDa, which were all similar in size to the analogous proteins of HIV. Putative gag proteins of p55, p24 and p17 were recognized by sera of human AIDS patients, but the corresponding env proteins of 32-40 and 120 kDa showed only weak cross-reactivity with those of HIV. The transmembrane glycoproteins of these 3 SIV[AGM] isolates showed size heterogeneity, being 32, 35 and 40 kDa. This virus had particles that were morphologically similar to those of HIV, and had Mg2+-dependent reverse transcriptase. Furthermore, the SIV[AGM] showed tropism and cytopathic effects on CD4-positive human cell lines. In a sero-epidemiological survey of SIV[AGM] in various non-human primates, 2 other African monkey species, the mandrill and de Brazza's monkey, were also found to have antibodies to SIV[AGM]. These HIV-related simian retroviruses will be important in determining the origin and transmission of HIV group viruses, and may provide useful animal models for studies on the infection and pathogenesis of HIV and AIDS.

Animals↗

Monoclonal autoantibodies with interleukin 3-like activity derived from a MRL/lpr mouse.

Hybridomas that secrete monoclonal antibodies with interleukin 3 (IL-3)-like activity were established from spleen cells of a nonimmunized autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse. Five of the monoclonal antibodies thus obtained bound selectively to IL-3-dependent cells and supported their growth. These monoclonal antibodies inhibited the binding of IL-3 to FDC-P2 cells and vice versa. Thus, these antibodies were probably directed to IL-3 receptor sites, or at least to some cell surface proteins related to the growth of the IL-3-dependent cells. These MRL/lpr-derived monoclonal antibodies reacted strongly with cells from bone marrow, spleen, and lymph node of MRL/lpr mice, but minimally with such cells of MRL/+ or BALB/c mice. The findings were consistent with our earlier suggestion that the IL-3-like activity in MRL/lpr sera is not caused by IL-3 itself but is associated with IgG that is probably an autoantibody directed to the IL-3 receptor.

Animals↗

Autoimmune MRL/lpr mice sera contain IgG with interleukin 3-like activity.

The spleen cells, thymocytes, and bone marrow cells of autoimmune MRL/MP-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice do not constitutively produce interleukin 3 (IL-3), but these mice had IL-3-like activity in their sera. MRL/lpr sera supported the growth of the IL-3-dependent cell lines FDC-P2 and DA-1 but not the growth of IL-2-dependent T-572 cells. This IL-3-like activity increased with age. Biochemical analysis of the MRL/lpr sera by anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration on a Superose 12 column, the binding to protein-A and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the serum factor with the IL-3-like activity was not IL-3 itself but was associated with IgG. Flow cytometric analysis also showed that the serum level of the Ig capable of binding FDC-P2 cells was high in MRL/lpr but not in MRL/+ mice. We suggest that IL-3 is not responsible for lymphoid hyperplasia, contrary to a previous report; rather auto-antibodies directed toward the IL-3 receptor may act pathogenically in MRL/lpr mice.

Aging↗

Acute and repair stage characteristics of magnetic resonance relaxation times in oxygen-induced pulmonary edema.

Proton magnetic relaxation times, T1 and T2, were determined for rat lungs exposed to 80% oxygen for a duration of 2 weeks. The transverse magnetization decay curve of the lung tissue was multiexponential. A linear combination of two decay curves with different T2 values fits the multiexponential decay suggesting that there are at least two different components of tissue water in the lung. Remarkable prolongation of T1 and T2 was demonstrated as lung injuries progressed in the acute stage of pulmonary edema. Both 1/T1 and 1/T2 were significantly correlated with 1/water content of the lung tissue. In the repair stage, T1 and T2 were significantly shortened. Shortening coincided with the spontaneous resolution of pulmonary edema. Relaxation rates showed no significant correlation with 1/water content in this stage. These results indicate that the physical state of water in the tissue is affected not only by the water content but also by the derangement of macromolecules in pulmonary edema. T2 was more sensitive than T1 for detecting pulmonary damage.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional reconstruction of transmitter-identified central neurons by "en bloc" immunofluorescence histochemistry and confocal scanning microscopy.

A new method for three-dimensional reconstruction of transmitter-identified neurons is presented which involves "en bloc" immunofluorescence histochemistry and confocal scanning microscopy. The technique was applied to different types of neurons in the rat brain and lamprey spinal cord. Thick sections or tissue "blocs" (50-200 micron thick) were incubated with antisera against neuropeptides or monoaminergic markers, followed by fluorescent secondary antibodies. Three-dimensional reconstructions were obtained by scanning the preparations in sequential focal planes with a thin laser beam, while sampling the emitted light in each focal plane. The method is convenient and can be applied to a wide variety of neuron types. The reconstructions obtained are accurate since the "optical serial sections" of the specimen are perfectly aligned, and optic disturbances such as "halo" phenomena do not occur.

Animals↗

Enhancement of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury by glucagon and insulin treatment.

Rats given a dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) immediately received injections of glucagon and insulin every 4 h. They frequently died after 4 h and showed a significantly higher mortality between 8 h and 28 h as compared to the control rats where such deaths occurred 16 h later. At 8 h, the derangements of SGPT values and prothrombin time were significantly greater in the hormone-treated rats than in the control rats. In these CCl4-intoxicated rats, hepatic reduced glutathione content at 4 h was significantly reduced after hormone treatment. The treatment significantly enhanced CCl4 metabolism, conversion of 14CCl4 into 14CO2 in vitro, by microsomes isolated from the liver, whereas it did not affect the microsomal cytochrome P450 content. These results suggest that glucagon and insulin treatment increased CCl4 hepatotoxicity in rats through activating the cytochrome P450-dependent mono-oxygenase system. This would merit consideration for the clinical application of this treatment.

Animals↗

Intermediate filaments of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells in bile duct obstruction: transmission and scanning electron microscopy study.

The cytoskeletons of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells in bile duct ligated rate livers were investigated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The three dimensional organization of the intermediate filaments (IFs) of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells was clearly demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. Cell borders and dilated bile canaliculi were well preserved after perfusion with detergent solution. A very dense filamentous network of IFs was seen throughout the cytoplasm, especially around the dilated bile canaliculi and at the cell borders. IFs in biliary epithelial cells were more numerous compared with hepatocytes. Morphometric analysis showed that the IFs of hepatocytes significantly (p greater than 0.001) increased in amount in bile duct ligated rats. The IFs of biliary epithelial cells showed no significant changes in bile duct ligated rats compared to controls. These results suggest that the increase in IFs in hepatocytes results from the adaptation of the hepatocytes to the stress imposed by bile duct ligation. It may be that the resulting intracanalicular pressure and back diffusion of bile induces a metaplastic change in hepatocytes so that they acquire more IFs to function like the bile duct epithelium to conduct bile flow.

Animals↗

Neuronal structures of the brainstem participating in postural suppression in cats.

Two histochemical tracer techniques (a horseradish peroxidase and a Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin axonal flow technique) were employed to determine the cells of origin, axonal trajectories and terminals of fibers of passage through the dorsal tegmental field (DTF) in the pons along the midline (Horsley-Clarke coordinates, P 3 to P 7, LR 0, H - 4.5 to H - 6.0). Stimulation of the DTF area results in the postural suppression in both acute decerebrate, reflexively standing cats and freely moving awake cats. With these techniques, we have been able to demonstrate that in addition to pontine reticular cells, many cells in the dorsolateral pontine tegmentum, including the LC-complex, project their axons to the rostral part of the midline DTF area, and that descending axons from the nucleus reticularis pontis oralis pass through the DTF area and terminate on cells in the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis and the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis. Among those cells in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis, a great number of giant cells project to the lumbar spinal cord. The functional roles of these neuronal structures are discussed in relation to the results obtained by chemical stimulation of the pontine structures.

Animals↗

Mutagenicity of monochlorodibenzofurans detected in the environment.

Recently, monochlorodibenzofuran, which is formed by the reaction of dibenzofuran with residual chlorine, has been detected in tap water in one region of Japan. The mutagenicities of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-chlorodibenzofuran were tested using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. 1-Chlorodibenzofuran and 4-chlorodibenzofuran proved to be practically non-mutagenic, while 2-chlorodibenzofuran was weakly mutagenic. Unlike these three isomers, 3-chlorodibenzofuran was markedly mutagenic, and the intensity of its mutagenicity in TA98 was about one-fifth and in TA100 about one-twentieth of that of benzo[a]pyrene.

Benzofurans↗

Scanning electron microscopy of the hepatocyte cytoskeleton in human liver tissue.

Portions of eight human livers taken by wedge biopsy or needle biopsy were extracted with 0.5% Triton X-100 and then studied by scanning electron microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy. The wedge-biopsy specimens were perfused with the detergent solution. Needle-biopsy specimens were quickly frozen and cracked and then the cracked tissue was immersed in the detergent solution. The three-dimensional filament network of hepatocytes was visualized. A dense network which consisted of intermediate filaments and microfilaments was observed within the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. These filaments were better preserved in the needle biopsies which were quick-frozen and cracked before extraction than in the wedge biopsies. Variation in the amount of the cytoskeletal filaments was less prominent in the hepatocytes treated by rapid freezing. It is concluded that freeze-cracking is the most favorable method for the study of cytoskeletal pathology in various liver diseases in man.

Biopsy↗

Use of diltiazem to control circulatory fluctuations during resection of a phaeochromocytoma.

This report describes the use of diltiazem to control circulatory fluctuations during anaesthesia in five patients undergoing resection of a phaeochromocytoma. Diltiazem was administered continuously i.v. before anaesthesia and during surgery until the draining vein from the tumour had been ligated. Arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance decreased in association with the infusion of diltiazem. Heart rate was stable, and there was no ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Arterial pressure was controlled easily during the manipulation of the tumour, and there were no hypotensive episodes after the removal of the tumour.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

The influence of respiratory-induced acid-base changes on the action of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants in rats.

The influence of respiratory-induced acid-base changes on the action of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants was investigated using the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation. Changes in pH were induced by changes in the CO2 concentration aerating Krebs' solution. In the absence of muscle relaxants, an increase in CO2 from 5% to 7.5% decreased (P less than 0.01) indirectly elicited twitch tension by 5.4 +/- 0.7% (mean +/- SEM), while a decrease in CO2 from 5% to 2.5% increased (P less than 0.01) twitch tension by 2.3 +/- 0.7%. With a change in CO2 from 2.5% to 7.5%, partial neuromuscular blockade produced by d-Tc or vecuronium was augmented (P less than 0.01), while that produced by metocurine, pancuronium, or alcuronium was reduced (P less than 0.01). With the change in CO2 from 7.5% to 2.5%, the neuromuscular blockade produced by d-Tc or vecuronium was reduced (P less than 0.01), while that produced by metocurine, pancuronium, or alcuronium was augmented (P less than 0.01). Dose-response study showed that 2.5% CO2 shifted the dose-response curves for d-Tc and vecuronium to the right (P less than 0.01) from those with 5% CO2, whereas 7.5% CO2 shifted them to the left (P less than 0.05). In contrast, neither 2.5% CO2 or 7.5% CO2 significantly shifted the dose-response curves for metocurine or pancuronium from those with 5% CO2. Their dose-response curves with 2.5% CO2 were to the left, instead of to the right, of those with 7.5% CO2 (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis, Respiratory↗