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Biomedical subjects

A Inoue

Publications and source records attributed to A Inoue.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Objective evaluation of pain in various spinal diseases: neuropeptide immunoreactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid.

A quantitative analysis was performed of substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) and of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-ENDLI), in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in various diseases. The results reported to date have not been consistent. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the concentration of SPLI or that of beta-ENDLI in CSF demonstrated any potential for assessing the degree of subjective pain in various spinal diseases. SPLI in CSF was measured by radioimmunoassay in 158 patients with a spinal disease; involving 57 patients with a lumbar disc herniation (LDH), 38 with lumbar canal stenosis (LCS), 46 with cervical myelopathy (CM) and 17 with cervical radiculopathy (CR), and also in 20 healthy controls. beta-ENDLI in CSF was measured in 25 of these same patients; involving 12 with LDH, seven with LCS and six with CM, and also five of the same controls. The concentration of serum SPLI was also measured in 50 of these 158. The severity of pain was self-evaluated by each patient using a linear visual analogue scale (VAS). Their Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was also calculated objectively using the clinical findings. Correlations were investigated among the concentrations of SPLI and beta-ENDLI in the CSF and the VAS and JOA clinical assessments of these patients. The concentration of SPLI in CSF was significantly higher in various spinal diseases than in control (P < 0.05), and was correlated with the severity on the VAS and with the JOA score. However, beta-ENDLI was not correlated with either the VAS or the JOA score. We conclude that the measurement of the SPLI concentration in CSF has the potential for assessing objectively the severity of pain associated with various spinal diseases.

Activities of Daily Living↗

5-Hydroxytryptamine-facilitated release of substance P from rat spinal cord slices is mediated by nitric oxide and cyclic GMP.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the control of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced release of substance P was investigated in rat spinal cord in vitro. 5-HT facilitated the 60 mM K(+)-evoked release of substance P-like immunoreactive materials (SPLI) from the superfused rat dorsal spinal cord slices without affecting spontaneous SPLI release. The facilitatory effect of 5-HT was significantly inhibited by ICS 205-930 or granisetron (potent and specific 5-HT3 receptor antagonists), by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA, a NO synthase inhibitor), and by methylene blue or 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxaline-1-one (MB or ODQ, respectively; both are inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase) and was mimicked by 2-methylserotonin (2-m-5-HT, a selective 5-HT3 receptor agonist), L-arginine (a precursor of NO), or 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. NMMA, MB, or ODQ inhibited the 2-m-5-HT-induced increase of cyclic GMP levels in the rat dorsal spinal cord slices. These data suggest that the facilitatory effect of 5-HT on the release of SPLI is mediated by the 5-HT3 receptor and that the intracellular signaling is mediated via NO by an increase in cyclic GMP production.

Animals↗

Anti-adhesion molecule therapy in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease.

We examined the role of leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 and its counter-receptor intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, one of the most important pairs of adhesion molecules, in the development of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD). Immunohistochemical study showed hyper-expression of ICAM-1 on vascular endothelial cells and expression of LFA-1 on mononuclear infiltrating cells in the spinal cords of TMEV-infected mice. Treatment with mAb to ICAM-1 and/or LFA-1 molecules resulted in significant suppression of the development of demyelinating disease, both clinically and histologically, with down-regulation in the CNS of the respective adhesion molecules after treatment. In mice treated with these mAb, the specific delayed-type hypersensitivity and T cell proliferative responses for TMEV were decreased. The production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IFN-gamma in spleen cells was also decreased, but IL-4 production remained unchanged. These data suggest that ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction is critically involved in the pathogenesis of TMEV-IDD and that antibodies to these adhesion molecules could be a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as human multiple sclerosis.

Animals↗

Troponin from smooth adductor muscle of Ezo-giant scallop.

Troponin which can confer Ca2+-sensitivity upon rabbit actomyosin Mg-ATPase activity has been prepared from the smooth adductor muscle of Ezo-giant scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis). The troponin comprises 40-, 20-, and 19-kDa components. In order to characterize the components, they were separated from each other by CM-Toyopearl column chromatography in the presence of 6 M urea. Consequently, the 20-kDa component was identified as troponin C, based on the Ca2+-binding ability. The amount of Ca2+ bound to the troponin C was estimated to be 0.75 mol/mol at 10(-4) M Ca2+ by the equilibrium dialysis method. The 19-kDa component was identified as troponin I on the basis of not only its inhibitory effect on rabbit actomyosin Mg-ATPase activity along with the smooth adductor tropomyosin, but also the releasing effect of the smooth adductor troponin C on the inhibition. On the other hand, the 40-kDa component was regarded as troponin T on the basis that it bound to F-actin-tropomyosin filament and was indispensable for conferring Ca2+-sensitivity upon rabbit actomyosin Mg-ATPase activity, along with troponin C and troponin I. The above assignments were confirmed by both amino acid analysis and immunoblotting using rabbit antisera raised against counterparts of scallop striated muscle troponin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Flautist's chin.

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Adult↗

Major linear antibody epitopes and capsid proteins differentially induce protective immunity against Theiler's virus-induced demyelinating disease.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced immunologically mediated demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) in susceptible mice provides a relevant infectious model for multiple sclerosis. Previously, we have identified six major linear antibody epitopes on the viral capsid proteins. In this study, we utilized fusion proteins containing individual capsid proteins and synthetic peptides containing the linear antibody epitopes to determine the potential role of antibody response in the course of virus-induced demyelination. Preimmunization of susceptible mice with VPI and VP2 fusion proteins, but not VP3, resulted in the protection from subsequent development of TMEV-IDD. Mice free of clinical symptoms following preimmunizations with fusion proteins displayed high levels of antibodies to the capsid proteins corresponding to the immunogens. In contrast, the level of antibodies to a particular linear epitope, A1C (VP1(262-276)), capable of efficiently neutralizing virus in vitro increased with the progression of disease. Further immunization with synthetic peptides containing individual antibody epitopes indicated that antibodies to the epitopes are differentially effective in protecting from virus-induced demyelination. Taken together, these results suggest that antibodies to only certain linear epitopes are protective and such protection may be restricted during the early stages of viral infection.

Animals↗

A study on a new antineural antibody in a case of paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy associated with breast carcinoma.

Paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy is a remote effect of cancer, usually associated with small cell lung carcinoma and anti-Hu antibody. This report details the case of a 59 year old woman with a breast carcinoma and a paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy characterised by chronic asymmetric sensory neuropathy. Anti-Hu antibody was not detected in her serum; nor were other known antineuronal antibodies such as anti-Ri and Yo. However, we have found an antineural antibody that reacted to a 106 kDa mouse neural antigen which has not yet been reported. Immunohistochemically, this antineural antibody bound to the posterior grey horn. This finding suggests that this antineural antibody may play an important part in the pathogenesis of the sensory neuropathy of this patient.

Antibodies↗

Renal hemodynamic changes induced by captopril and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism.

We studied the relationship between renal hemodynamic changes induced by a single acute administration of captopril (50 mg p.o.) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in 27 healthy human volunteers, 7 with DD genotype, 10 with ID, and 10 with II genotype. The increase in effective renal plasma flow (p < 0.02) and the fall in renal vascular resistance (p < 0.01) in response to captopril were significantly less in subjects with the DD genotype than in subjects with the other genotypes. These data suggest that intrarenal ACE inhibition by captopril differs according to ACE gene ID polymorphism in healthy humans.

Adult↗

Soluble form of selectins in blood of patients with acute myocardial infarction and coronary intervention.

Soluble (s) P-selectin, sE-selectin, sL-selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels were examined by monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay on serum samples taken from nine patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and eight patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) before and after the successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In patients with acute phase of AMI, the levels (mean +/- SEM) of sP-selectin (110 +/- 18 ng/ml) and sE-selectin (54 +/- 15 ng/ml) before PTCA, were significantly higher than those in the SAP group, the values being 44 +/ 27 and 21 +/- 4 ng/ml (p < 0.05), respectively. After recanalization, the levels of sE-selectin and sL-selectin were significantly decreased (sE-selectin 54 +/- 15 to 42 +/- 11 ng/ml, sL-selectin 1104 +/- 106 to 891 +/- 59 ng/ml, P < 0.05, respectively). These findings suggest that the presence of activated and/or injured endothelial cells, which may be involved in the plaque disruption or intraluminal thrombosis in AMI region and that the inflammatory process may be altered after reperfusion therapy.

Adult↗

Association of hnRNP S1 proteins C2 and D2 with vimentin intermediate filaments.

S1 proteins A-D are hnRNP proteins which were originally isolated from nuclei of various tissues, by selective extraction of pH 4.9 from the supernatants of nuclei mildly treated with DNase I or RNase A. In the present study, a hybridoma was isolated which produced a monoclonal antibody that reacted specifically with S1 proteins C2 and D2. When the antibody was used in indirect immunofluorescence staining of cultured cells, it stained, in addition to the nuclei, the cytoskeleton-like fibrous structures in the cytoplasm. We demonstrate that the cytoskeletal filaments are vimentin intermediate filaments. This is the first report on the hnRNP protein-association with cytoskeleton, and will help to clarify cytoplasmic mRNA localization as well as cytoplasmic distribution of hnRNP proteins.

Animals↗

Oxygen sensitivity of NifA protein of Azospirillum lipoferum FS as suggested by gene cloning and expression in Escherichia coli.

We cloned and sequenced a 2.8-kb SalI fragment of Azospirillum lipoferum FS as a homologue of the Klebsiella oxytoca nifA gene. The amino acid sequence deduced from an open reading frame of 1872 bases showed 91% identity to that of the A. brasilense NifA, and the putative central sigma54 interaction domain was conserved as well as the C-terminal DNA-binding domain. The NifA function on the nifH promoter was examined in Escherichia coli using a combination of a nifA driver plasmid and a nifH-lacZ reporter plasmid, in which the transcriptional activation of the nifH promoter by the NifA was evaluated with the beta-galactosidase activity. The A. lipoferum NifA activated the nifH promoter solely under microaerobic conditions, while the K. oxytoca NifA activated it irrespective of the oxygen condition. These observations suggest that oxygen sensitivity is an intrinsic property of the A. lipoferum NifA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta production by isolated mononuclear cells from the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

We demonstrated time course of the number of mononuclear cells (MNCs) isolated from spinal cords (SCs) correlates with the degree of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) of Lewis rats, and analyzed their tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta production by MNCs, using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay and enzyme-linked immuno spot (ELISPOT) assay. The number of MNCs varied from 5 to 620 x 10(4) per SC of normal Lewis rat and Lewis rat with EAE. MNCs increased and reached a peak on day 2 post clinical onset (Day 2), and subsequently declined through the clinical course. The increase of infiltrating MNCs in SCs paralleled the severity of the disease development. TGF-beta 1 in plasma of rats with EAE significantly increased on Day 1 and reached the peak on Day 3. TNF-alpha levels in culture supernatants of MNCs from SCs increased on Day 1, and it decreased from Day 2, and declined on Day 4 when animals began to recover. TGF-beta 1 was not detected in culture supernatant during the whole clinical course. The number of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1 producing cells that were detected by ELISPOT assay increased on Day 0, and decreased rapidly after the onset of neurological symptoms. Thus, increase of TNF-alpha appeared in the early phase of the disease and then promptly decreased. In contrast, TGF-beta 1 was activated during the later recovering phase of the disease. We consider that TNF-alpha may play an important role in the pathogenesis of EAE and TGF-beta may inhibit the development of EAE.

Animals↗

Hemarthrosis of the knee and bone contusion.

We present five patients with acute traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee who also had hemorrhage within the bone marrow around the knee detected by magnetic resonance imaging. No additional bony, ligamentous, meniscal or osteochondral injuries were evident from clinical examination, initial and repeated plain radiographs, or magnetic resonance imaging. The main symptoms were sharply localized pain and tenderness of the contused area. When hemarthrosis was demonstrated at the first office visit, three cases had fat droplets in the blood. Two patients with hemarthrosis of the knee undergoing arthroscopy showed no obvious lesions of intra-articular structures. Instead they showed congestion of the joint capsule located in accordance with the traumatic episode. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated marrow abnormalities as diffusely low and high signal intensity areas in T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, respectively, in locations consistent with the traumatic episode and the symptoms. These disappeared within an average of 13 weeks (range in 4 cases, 12 to 16 weeks). These findings were considered diagnostic of bone contusion. Symptom duration was about 2 weeks in all cases. In conclusion the clinician should consider the possibility of coexisting bone contusion in cases of acute traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee with no evidence of bone or intra-articular lesions on clinical examination and conventional radiographs.

Adolescent↗

Peripheral neuropathy in allergic granulomatous angiitis.

A 61-year-old woman began to suffer bronchial asthma in 1985. She then developed low back pain and numbness along the lower extremities, eventually leading to bilateral drop foot in 1990. At that time, she was diagnosed as having lumbar disc hernia, and extirpation of the discs at the L3-4 and L4-5 was performed. However, her clinical condition showed little improvement. Six months later, she was emaciated and bedridden with distal dominant muscular atrophy in all four limbs, purpura in the left leg and hypereosinophils. Motor conduction velocity (MCV) was not detected in the peroneal nerves. The toes gradually became cyanotic, and a skin biopsy from the cyanotic region revealed necrosis in the vessels surrounded by infiltration of a large number of neutrocytes and lymphocytes. She was diagnosed as having mononeuritis multiplex due to allergic granulomatous angiitis (AGA), which is characterized by bronchial asthma, hypereosinophilia and necrotizing vasculitis. Thirty mg/day prednisolone was then administered. However, the toes and calcaneal areas gradually became necrosed. Finally, amputation of both feet was necessary. We concluded that an early diagnosis of this syndrome is most important, and corticosteroids should be administered early.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Stress fracture of the medial malleolus.

It is difficult to assess the healing of the medial malleolar stress fracture. We describe a case of medial malleolar stress fracture which was monitored its healing with repeated magnetic resonance images.

Adolescent↗