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Biomedical subjects

M Nakajima

Publications and source records attributed to M Nakajima.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of pancreatic type phospholipase A2 on isolated porcine cerebral arteries via its specific binding sites.

The addition of porcine pancreatic group I phospholipase A2 (PLA2-I) produced a transient contraction followed by a relaxation in helical strips of porcine cerebral arteries. Its ED50 value (2.3 nM) was almost identical to the Kd value (3.9 nM) calculated from the specific binding of 125I-labeled porcine PLA2-I in cultured porcine cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells. Type-specific action of PLA2s and homologous desensitization strongly implicated the involvement of PLA2-I-specific sites in the response. The transient contraction was abolished by treatment with indomethacin as well as by the removal of endothelium, indicating the dependence of vasoconstrictor prostaglandins synthesized by PLA2-I in endothelium. The PLA2-I-induced relaxation response was also observed in bovine and cat cerebral arteries, thus providing a new aspect of PLA2-I as a vasoactive substance.

Animals

Expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity by yohimbine and clonidine in the rat brain.

To elucidate the role of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in transcriptional control in the rat brain, we localized the Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) induced by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and by an antagonist. Injections of yohimbine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) into rats led to the induction of Fos-LI in areas with a dense alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding such as the locus coeruleus, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, the central nucleus of amygdaloid complex, the paraventricular nucleus, the nucleus tractus solitarius, and ventrolateral medulla oblongata. Clonidine (500 micrograms/kg, i.p.) suppressed the Fos expression by yohimbine in these nuclei, and clonidine (100 micrograms/kg, i.p.) or guanabenz (4 mg/kg, i.p.) induced Fos-LI in oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei in the hypothalamus. Thus, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor is involved in transcriptional control via Fos expression in neurons related to autonomic and other functions.

Animals

Specific detection of acetyl-coenzyme A by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography with an immobilized enzyme reactor.

A selective chromatographic detection system for the determination of acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) is reported. The short-chain acyl-CoA thioesters were separated by reversed-phase ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and then acetyl-CoA was selectively detected on-line with an immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) as a post-column reactor. Thio-CoA liberated enzymatically from acetyl-CoA was determined spectrophotometrically after reaction with Ellman's reagent in the reagent stream. The IMER with phosphotransacetylase had a substrate specificity sufficient to determine acetyl-CoA and was active and stable in the mobile phase containing methanol and the ion-pair reagent. The calibration graph was linear between 0.2 and 10 nmol, with a detection limit of 0.05 nmol. This HPLC system with detection by IMER allows the selective identification and determination of acetyl-CoA in a mixture of acetoacetyl-CoA and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA, which are difficult to separate with ion-pair HPLC.

Acetyl Coenzyme A

Determination of idebenone in rat serum and brain by high-performance liquid chromatography using platinum catalyst reduction and electrochemical detection.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of idebenone, a new cerebral metabolism-improving agent, in rat serum and brain has been developed. After separation of idebenone on a reversed-phase column, idebenone was reduced once in a platinum catalyst reduction column connected on-line, then monitored quantitatively by electrochemical detection. A linear relationship between the peak-height ratio of idebenone to the internal standard and idebenone concentration was observed in the range 0.015-50 ng with a detection limit of 5 pg (signal-to-noise ratio = 5). This method was satisfactorily rapid and sensitive, and was successfully applied to the determination of idebenone in rat serum and brain tissues.

Animals

Object-oriented fuzzy expert system for on-line diagnosing and control of bioprocesses.

An object-oriented fuzzy expert system to support on-line control of an automated fermentation plant is described. The major elements of the system consist of a fuzzy inference engine, a database, a knowledge base, and an expression evaluater. The expression evaluater calculates specific rates for growth, and substrate and product formation at different physiological states during the cultivation from the measured data. The specific rates are then compared with the standard target rates stored in the database. If differences outside the set tolerances were observed, the inference engine analyses the reasons for the faults on the basis of the knowledge represented in the form of a knowledge network and fuzzy membership functions of the process variables. The fuzzy expert system was developed on the basis of a shell constructed by using the object oriented Smalltalk/V Mac programming environment, with Lac-tobacillus casei lactic acid fermentation as the example of process application.

Biotechnology

Structural requirements for the effects of neuropeptide Y on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the dog.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), administered into the third cerebral ventricle of the dog stimulates plasma ACTH and cortisol secretion. To further investigate the structure-activity relationships of this action, we examined the effect of COOH-terminal fragment, NPY 19-36 and its analogues, NPY-(1-36)-OH (deamidated NPY) and avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) on ACTH-cortisol secretion following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection in the dog. NPY (1.19 nmol) evoked a significant increase in the secretion of both plasma ACTH and cortisol. However, NPY 19-36 and NPY-(1-36)-OH each failed to increase plasma ACTH and cortisol secretion at doses of 1.19-11.9 nmol injected i.c.v. APP was less active than NPY. These data demonstrate that the entire NPY molecule is required for the full expression of the stimulatory effect of NPY on the secretion of ACTH and cortisol.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Clinical application of ultrasonic probes in the biliary and pancreatic duct.

The clinical use of an ultrasonic probe with the radial scan transducer in the biliopancreatic ducts is reported in 35 patients with biliopancreatic lesions, including 11 cases of bile duct and 5 of pancreatic carcinoma. Two approaches are available for the intraductal scanning of bile and/or pancreatic ducts. One is the percutaneous insertion via a percutaneous transhepatic biliary fistula established for cholangioscopy. The other approach is the transpapillary insertion of the probe via the working channel of the duodenoscope. Using both approaches, ultrasonographic images of the bile duct wall, pancreas head and neighboring major blood vessels could be observed clearly. The extent of bile duct and pancreatic carcinoma could also be visualized. We believe that intraductal scanning using ultrasonic probes is a promising method in the staging of biliopancreatic malignancy.

Bile Duct Neoplasms

Histopathological development of gastric tumors induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in rats.

The development of carcinoma was examined in male Wistar rats (n = 120) exposed to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the drinking water (83 micrograms/ml) for 16 weeks. After MNNG administration, rats were investigated by endoscopic observation, visualization of microvascular structure, and estimation of lectin binding sites. Changes of bile reflux to the stomach was observed endoscopically at 24 weeks as well as the development of gastric mucosal erosions. Protruding and expansive ulcerating carcinomas developed at 36 weeks and had a microvascular pattern similar to that of human adenocarcinoma. Estimation of lectin binding site and pattern was useful to evaluate the malignant potential of cell proliferation. We postulate that endoscopic observation is valuable in investigating the development of gastric carcinoma, and microvascular structure and lectin binding pattern may be useful to demonstrate the mechanism of growth of gastric carcinoma.

Animals

A monoclonal antibody (NMC-VIII/10) to factor VIII light chain recognizing Glu1675-Glu1684 inhibits factor VIII binding to endogenous von Willebrand factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

The monoclonal antibody NMC-VIII/10 is a neutralizing antibody which recognizes the Glu1675-Glu1684 sequence of the factor VIII light chain and inhibits factor VIII (FVIII) binding to immobilized von Willebrand factor (vWf). In this study we immunohistochemically determined, using human umbilical cord tissue, whether or not NMC-VIII/10 has an inhibitory effect on FVIII binding to endogenous vWF in endothelial cells. Tissue sections were reacted with purified FVIII followed by peroxidase-conjugated monoclonal antibody (C5) recognizing the 54 kD fragment of the FVIII heavy chain. The labelling pattern of bound FVIII was similar to that of endogenous vWF and appeared as a fine granular deposit in the endothelial cells. Addition of purified vWF completely inhibited the binding of FVIII to endothelial cells. Furthermore, FVIII did not bind to endothelium in the presence of 0.25 M CaCl2, and similarly, thrombin-treated FVIII did not bind to the vascular site. These findings suggested that FVIII was bound to endogenous vWF in the endothelial cells. The binding reaction was completely inhibited by NMC-VIII/10, confirming that the monoclonal antibody recognizes the specific epitope responsible for FVIII binding to endogenous vWF.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Modulation of the invasive phenotype of human colon carcinoma cells by organ specific fibroblasts of nude mice.

We examined whether fibroblasts from subcutaneous, colon or lung tissues of nude mice influence the invasive potential of highly metastatic human colon carcinoma KM12SM cells. Primary cultures of nude mouse fibroblasts from skin, lung and colon were established. Invasive and metastatic KM12SM cells were cultured alone or with fibroblasts. Growth and invasive properties of the KM12SM cells were evaluated as well as their production of gelatinase activity. KM12SM cells were able to grow on monolayers of all three fibroblast cultures but did not invade through skin fibroblasts. The conditioned media of KM12SM cells cocultured with skin, colon or lung fibroblasts were examined for the presence of type IV collagenase (gelatinase). KM12SM growing on plastic and on colon or lung fibroblasts produced significant levels of latent and active forms of 64 kDa type IV collagenase, whereas KM12SM cells cocultivated with nude mouse skin fibroblasts did not. In contrast, human squamous cell carcinoma A431 cells produced significant levels of collagenase type IV when cocultured with nude mouse skin fibroblasts, a tissue they invaded and completely penetrated. Incubation of KM12SM cells in serum-free medium containing recombinant human interferon-beta (fibroblast interferon) was associated with significant reduction in gelatinase activity. Since the production of type IV collagenase by human colon cancer cells is specifically inhibited by mouse skin fibroblasts but not by colon or lung fibroblasts the data suggest that organ-specific fibroblasts can influence the invasive and metastatic properties of KM12SM cells.

Animals

Solubilization of high affinity peptide-YY receptors from porcine brain.

We have previously characterized peptide-YY (PYY) receptors in porcine hippocampal membranes. We demonstrate here that brain PYY receptors can be extracted in the active state using digitonin. Among several detergents tested for their suitability to extract active PYY receptors, digitonin gave the most favorable results, as judged by specific binding of [125I]PYY to the solubilized receptors. The binding of [125I]PYY to digitonin extract was dependent on incubation time, temperature, and protein and magnesium ion concentrations and had a pH optimum of 6-7. Solubilized PYY receptors maintained the rank order of potencies for various related peptides and PYY fragments characteristic of the membrane PYY receptor: PYY greater than neuropeptide Y (NPY) much much greater than avian and porcine pancreatic polypeptide, and PYY greater than PYY-(22-36) much much greater than PYY-(1-22) and PYY-(22-28), respectively. Scatchard analyses of competitive binding data indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites in the digitonin extract; the high affinity component had affinities and binding capacities similar to those of the membrane PYY receptor. Solubilized PYY receptors also retained their sensitivity to guanine nucleotides. PYY was cross-linked to its receptors with disuccinimidyl suberate, solubilized with digitonin, and cross-linked to digitonin-solubilized receptors. The resulting complexes were analyzed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by autoradiography. Using these procedures, we identified a PYY receptor species with a molecular size of 50,000, which was the same size as the labeled protein in native membrane homogenates. Solubilized NPY receptors were also the same size. The solubilized cross-linked PYY receptor was adsorbed by wheat germ agglutinin-agarose and Concanavalin-A, suggesting its glycoprotein nature. These data suggest that the specific binding properties of the PYY receptor are inherent in the solubilized glycoprotein molecules. The solubilization in digitonin of PYY receptors from membranes should allow a more complete molecular and functional characterization of PYY-mediated events and purification of the receptor.

Adsorption

Solubilization of the receptors for avian pancreatic polypeptide in chicken, canine, and pig brains.

When n-octyl-beta-D-glucoside was used in several detergents to extract active avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) receptors, a specific binding of [125I]APP to the solubilized chicken cerebellar and porcine hippocampal membranes was found. The binding of [125I]APP to the solubilized receptors was dependent on incubation time, temperature, and protein concentrations and appeared to have a slightly acidic optimal pH. APP binding to chicken and porcine brain extracts showed a high specificity for APP, although the chicken receptors do not discriminate well between APP and its related peptides, neuropeptide Y and peptide YY. Scatchard analyses of competitive binding data indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites in the brain extracts as in membrane-bound receptors; however, the high affinity component of the chicken receptor showed a decreased affinity after extraction. APP receptors in chicken and porcine brain extracts retained their insensitivity to the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Cross-linking studies were performed with the homobifunctional cross-linker disuccinimidyl suberate and brain membrane receptors solubilized with n-octyl-beta-D-glucoside. An APP receptor species with a M(r) of 67,000, the same size as that of the labeled protein in native membrane homogenates of chicken and pig brains, was identified. However, in the canine brain we observed a M(r) 85,000 receptor protein, suggesting that species differences exist among the structures of brain APP receptors. The solubilized cross-linked APP receptors in these species were adsorbed by wheat germ agglutinin-agarose and by concanavalin A, indicating that they are glycoprotein in nature. The availability of the solubilized receptors from vertebrate brains with n-octyl-beta-D-glucoside represents an important step toward the purification and molecular characterization of the APP receptors.

Animals

Evidence for further heterogeneity of the receptors for neuropeptide-Y and peptide-YY in tumor cell lines derived from neural crest.

The expression and structure of the receptors for neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and peptide-YY (PYY) were studied in 16 human and rodent tumor cell lines derived from the neural crest by ligand binding and cross-linking techniques using [125I]Bolton-Hunter-NPY, [125I]PYY, and various forms of monoiodinated NPY and PYY. Although NPY-binding sites were observed in most of the tumor cells, PYY-binding sites were found only on the human neuroblastoma cell lines SMS-MSN, SMS-KAN, SK-N-MC, and MC-IXC and the human Ewing's sarcoma cell line SK-ES. The differential labeling of the NPY/PYY receptors on these cell lines suggests that the NPY/PYY receptors are more heterogeneous than previously described as the Y1, Y2, and Y3 receptor subtypes. Cross-linking studies demonstrate that the Y1 and Y2 receptors for NPY/PYY are structurally different (mol wt, 70 and 50 kilodaltons, respectively) and that the 70- and 50-kilodalton receptor proteins are coexpressed in certain tumor cell lines. This could explain at least in part why cell lines show a relative specificity for Y1/Y2 classification, observed as the inhibition by both C-terminal fragments and Y1-specific analogs on the NPY/PYY binding to membrane receptors. Collectively, the present study suggests further heterogeneity of the NPY/PYY receptors and the existence of multiple receptor proteins in the tumor cell lines derived from the neural crest.

Animals

[A case of endobronchial fibroma associated with recurrent pneumonia].

We present a case of endobronchial fibroma in a 59-year-old man admitted for repeated pneumonia, successfully treated by endoscopic Nd-YAG laser. His chest X-ray showed an infiltrative shadow in the right lower lung field and a mass shadow within the truncus intermedius. Bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid mass with lobulated whitish surface, obstructing 90% of the lumen. A biopsy taken from the tumor was suggestive of fibroma histologically. Two previous case reports stated that endobronchial fibroma readily detaches from the bronchial wall during removal. The tumor was successfully removed without dropping any tumor fragment to obstruct the distal bronchus by means of biopsy forceps manually attached to an endoscope with endoscopic Nd-YAG laser. The resected tumor was mainly composed of collagen fibers with scanty spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells, which was considered consistent with endobronchial fibroma. Endobronchial fibroma is a rare benign lung tumor, and only seven cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. There was no recurrence at three years and nine months.

Bronchial Neoplasms

[Ocular manifestations in a case of infantile cystinosis].

A case of infantile cystinosis was reported. The diagnosis of cystinosis was made by the renal Fanconi syndrome and the ocular findings. The patient showed typical corneal and fundus changes associated with cystinosis. Corneal crystals and fundus pigmentary change were found early in life. The deposition of corneal crystals increased in the course of the disease, especially in the nasal and the temporal sides close to the limbus. By specular microscopy, the corneal crystals were needle-shaped and were larger and more numerous in the superficial layer of the stroma. The same shape of crystals ere found in the corneal endothelium, and the size of endothelial cells was markedly increased. There were also small crystals on the surface of the iris. The entire fundus showed a mottled appearance characterized by mixture of fine granular pigmentation and depigmentation associated with patchy depigmentation in the periphery. On the anterior surface of the retina, a glistening crystal appeared. As the crystal deposition in ocular tissues increases, even after successful peritoneal dialysis, eventual impairment of visual function may be expected.

Crystallization

Effect of aging and caries on dentin permeability.

Extracted human teeth were collected from young (20-28 yrs) versus old (45-69 yrs) patients. The teeth were divided into carious and noncarious groups. Slabs were created from the mid-coronal occlusal dentin. Carious lesions were excavated and the smear layers on both normal and excavated carious dentin were removed with 37% phosphoric acid (1 min). The permeability (hydraulic conductance) of old normal dentin was only 20% of that obtained in young normal dentin but all of the specimens were permeable. Young carious dentin was only 14% as permeable as young normal dentin and only 1 out of 7 specimens was not permeable. All 7 specimens of old carious dentin were impermeable. Scanning electron microscopy of old and carious dentin exhibited far more intratubular crystals than normal dentin, providing a structural basis for the functional observation.

Adult