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Biomedical subjects

K Funakoshi

Publications and source records attributed to K Funakoshi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Infection of Chang cells with hepatitis C virus using hepatic biopsy specimens from patients with chronic hepatitis (type C).

The presence of hepatitis C virus sequence was detected in liver tissue extracts by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using primers of non-coding region in six out of eight cases with chronic hepatitis seropositive for Chiron's antibody. Subsequently, liver extracts from these cases were added to cell cultures of Chang cells for 3 days. The liver extracts of the six cases positive for PCR appeared to infect the Chang cells.

Adult↗

Studies on mouse sperm binding molecule (ligand) to egg zona pellucida. II. Purification of ligand molecule from cauda epididymal sperm.

One of the ligand molecules was purified from mouse cauda epididymal sperm for an indication of its inhibitory activity in sperm-egg binding. It was isolated in an electrophoretically homogeneous form by ionophore A23187 treatment of sperm, sedimentation by ultracentrifugation, solubilization by 2% Nonidet P-40 (NP-40), repeated ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. The purified ligand exhibited a molecular mass of 60,000 dalton by gel filtration and 67,000 dalton by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). This molecule was radioiodinated by the lactoperoxidase method and assayed the binding ability to egg zona pellucida. The labeled ligand specifically bound to both cumulus-free egg zona pellucida and isolated-zona pellucida of unfertilized egg in a similar extent, but didn't bind to 2-cell egg zona pellucida. The maximal binding site of ligand per egg zona pellucida was estimated about 660000 molecules by Scatchard plot analysis.

Animals↗

Interaction of interleukin-5 with its receptors on murine leukemic BCL1 cells and its implication in biological activity.

Interaction of interleukin (IL)-5 with its receptors on murine leukemic cell line, BCL1 cells was examined. 125I-labeled recombinant murine IL-5(rmIL-5) bound specifically to high-affinity receptors on BCL1 cells. rmIL-5, which was about 2500-fold more active than recombinant human IL-5(rhIL-5) in IgM-inducing activity on BCL1 cells, also showed about 5000-fold higher affinity to receptors. These results suggest that the bioactivity of IL-5 correlates with its receptor-binding activity. When disulfide bond formation was blocked, rmIL-5 dissociated into a monomer and lost its biological activity. This monomeric form of rmIL-5 also lost its ability to bind to cells, suggesting that dimer formation is essential for the biological activity of IL-5.

Animals↗

Malignant hemangiopericytoma of the omentum presenting as an ovarian tumor.

Malignant hemangiopericytomas are usually found in the musculature of the extremities, the retroperitoneum, and the pelvis. Malignant hemangiopericytoma arising in the omentum is extremely rare. We recently experienced such a case, in which a malignant ovarian tumor was suspected preoperatively on the basis of the sonogram, CT scan, magnetic resonance image, and increased CA-125 value. Microscopically, the tumor showed many mitoses, increased cellularity, and cytologic atypia. The patient was treated with CAP combination therapy following resection of the tumor; however, an intraperitoneal recurrence probably due to implantation was recognized 11 months later.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Interleukin-1 and -2 in sera of patients with chronic hepatitis (type B).

IL-1 beta and IL-2 values in serum from 28 patients with chronic hepatitis B diagnosed by liver biopsy and 23 healthy controls were measured by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Though both values in patients seropositive for anti-HBe were slightly higher than those in patients seropositive for HBeAg, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. In contrast, the relationship between IL-1 beta and IL-2 in patients with chronic hepatitis was statistically significant (P less than 0.001). In general, high values of serum IL-1 beta and IL-2 were seen in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis and low values of serum IL-1 beta and IL-2 were seen in patients with chronic active hepatitis (severe) and in some of these with chronic persistent hepatitis. Serum IL-1 beta and IL-2 values of all patients with chronic hepatitis were higher than in healthy controls (P less than 0.001). Serum IL-1 beta and IL-2 in chronic hepatitis (B) are important indicators of the grade of the inflammatory state of the liver.

Adult↗

Substance P immunoreactivity in the vagal nerve of mice.

After horseradish peroxidase was applied to the main trunk of the mouse vagal nerve, anterogradely labeled cells in the vagal ganglia and fibers in the solitary complex, and retrogradely labeled cells in the dorsal motor nucleus and the ambiguous nucleus were observed. Most of the cells in the nodose ganglion were labeled, but only a few cells in the jugular ganglion were labeled. Heavily labeled nerve terminals and fibers were found in 3 areas in the solitary nucleus: i.e., the lateral half of the medial nucleus, the ventrolateral nucleus, and the commissural nucleus. There was only weak labeling in the dorsolateral nucleus, ventral nucleus, and intermediate nucleus. Substance P immunoreactive neurons in the vagal ganglia were found in the jugular ganglion and the dorsal part of the nodose ganglion, but not in the ventral part of the nodose ganglion. Substance P immunoreactivity in the solitary nucleus was moderate in the commissural nucleus and the intermediate nucleus, but was lacking or very weak in the lateral half of the medial nucleus, ventral nucleus, dorsolateral nucleus, and ventrolateral nucleus. We conclude that most substance P containing fibers in the main trunk of the vagal nerve project centrally to the commissural nucleus and peripherally to some of the thoracic viscera.

Animals↗

Alpha 1-antitrypsin and hepatic fibrosis.

The administration of alpha 1-antitrypsin, both sialo and asialo types, to rats with chronic liver injury accelerated hepatic fibrosis. More fibrosis was seen histologically and the amount of hydroxyproline in the liver increased. Moreover, the growth of HEL cells (human embryonal lung fibroblast) in culture was promoted by alpha 1-antitrypsin though the action of the asialo type was very weak by contrast with the sialo type.

Animals↗

Secular changes in the angle of divergence of the first two metatarsals in the Japanese.

This investigation concerns secular changes of the intermetatarsal M1-M2 angle in the foot of Japanese, from the prehistoric Jomon period to early modern times. The divergence of the first metatarsal from the second in both sexes in the reconstructed tarsometatarsal bones gradually decreased during this period. In addition, the difference between sexes or sides in each period is small and statistically insignificant. With time, the first metatarsocuneiform angles, in both sexes, also decreased in parallel with the reduction of the intermetatarsal M1-M2 angle, while the second metatarsocuneiform angles in both sexes increased. Both may play a role in decrease of the intermetatarsal M1-M2 angle. A conspicuous angular divergence of the first metatarsal from the second one occurred in comparatively recent times. This change would be accelerated by modification in life-style, together with the effects of footwear.

Anthropology, Physical↗

Comparative studies of the biological activities of human tumor necrosis factor and its derivatives.

Biological activities of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and its derivatives were compared. In cytotoxicity assay with L929 cells, one derivative, designated as TNF(Asn), showed significantly lower activity than any other TNF examined. In binding assay, this derivative was also shown to have lower affinity for TNF receptors on L929 cells, suggesting that the cytotoxic activity of TNFs on L929 cells correlates with their affinity for receptors. We also found that the cytotoxic activity of TNF on A673 cells and its inhibitory effect on lipoprotein lipase were parallel with the cytotoxic activity on L929 cells, but the growth-enhancing activity on FS-4 cells and the cytotoxic activity on endothelial cells were not. It was also shown that TNF(Asn) had lower affinity than any other TNF for receptors on these target cells tested. These results suggested that there might be at least two types of cellular responses to TNF; one might correlate with the receptor-binding affinity of TNFs and the other not.

Animals↗

Localization of hepatitis B core antigens in chronic active hepatitis using immunoperoxidase and chromotrope aniline blue staining.

Hepatitis B (HB) core particle, in biopsied liver specimens from patients with chronic active hepatitis (type B) were stained with immunoperoxidase and chromotrope aniline blue (a non-immunological method) and the following results were obtained. HB core particles were more clearly stained with chromotrope aniline blue than with immunoperoxidase. Numerous HB core particles were seen not only in the nuclei of hepatocytes but also in the cytoplasm in HBeAg seropositive patients with severe chronic active hepatitis. DNAase digestion indicated that the HB core particles which stained with immunoperoxidase and chromotrope aniline blue contained DNA. Small amounts of HB core particles were seen in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of all anti-HBe seropositive patients with either moderate or severe chronic active hepatitis.

Adolescent↗

Photosensitive DNA cleavage and phage inactivation by copper(II)-camptothecin.

Upon irradiation with 365-nm light, copper(II)-camptothecin significantly produced single- and double-strand breaks of DNA and also induced a marked inactivation of bacteriophage. The nucleotide sequence analysis exhibited considerably random DNA cleavage. The DNA strand scission by the camptothecin-Cu(II)-UV light system, as well as the phage inactivation, was strongly suppressed by bathocuproine and catalase, indicating participation of cuprous species and hydrogen peroxide in the reaction. The present results suggest that (1) Cu(II) ion may play an important role as a cofactor in antitumor action of camptothecin and (2) the combination of copper-camptothecin plus long-wave ultraviolet light is useful against certain cancer treatment as a new photochemotherapy.

Bacteriophage phi X 174↗

Rapid induction of cirrhosis by administration of carbon tetrachloride plus phospholipase D.

A new and rapid method for the production of liver cirrhosis in the rat is described. Rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride for 4 weeks and then injected i.p. with phospholipase D daily for 6 days. Controls received either carbon tetrachloride or phospholipase D only. Following the combined treatment cirrhosis developed rapidly; the liver developed micronodules and severe cirrhosis was accompanied by ascites and splenomegaly.

Animals↗