Biomedical subjects

M Tsuji

Publications and source records attributed to M Tsuji.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Polymorphism of a long-chain cycloparaffin (CH2)120.

The polymorphism of a long-chain cycloparaffin (CH2)120 and chain packing in its crystals were discussed on the basis of some results obtained mainly by transmission electron microscopy. Monoclinic and orthorhombic single crystals of (CH2)120 were isothermally grown together from a dilute solution in p-xylene. Lozenge-shaped orthorhombic single crystals were more frequently observed than lath-shaped monoclinic ones. The basal surfaces of orthorhombic and monoclinic single crystal platelets were decorated with vapor-deposited polyethylene [PE]. Orthorhombic single crystals of (CH2)120 with the (110) twin boundary and monoclinic ones with the (100) twin boundary were also observed. Rod-like edge-on crystals of (CH2)120 were grown from a dilute p-xylene solution onto the (001) surface of alkali halides. The crystal system of the (CH2)120 edge-on crystals depended on the kind of substrate. The monoclinic crystal was grown on NaCl, the orthorhombic one on KBr and KCl. The monoclinic form of (CH2)120 edge-on crystal was transformed to the orthorhombic one by annealing on NaCl. In both monoclinic and orthorhombic edge-on crystals, the molecular plane determined by two zigzag stems in a molecule of (CH2)120 was parallel to the substrate surface and the molecular axis (crystallographic c-axis) was perpendicular to the longer side of the rod-like edge-on crystals. The sub-cell dimensions of the stem chains in both forms of (CH2)120 crystals were very similar to those of monoclinic and orthorhombic PE crystals, respectively.

Crystallization↗

PubMed1992

The diagnostic significance of anti-type II collagen antibody assay in rheumatoid arthritis.

An improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of anticollagen antibodies in human serum has been developed. With the use of this method, antibodies against native human Type II collagen were detected in 22.7% of sera from 480 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The antibodies were found to be collagen type specific, showing no reaction with human Type I and Type III collagens. The antibodies appeared in high incidence during the early phase of the disease, and RA patients with involvement of a single joint, mono-articular arthritis, were often positive for anti-Type II collagen antibodies. In most of these patients, anti-Type II collagen antibodies preceded the appearance of rheumatoid factors. The antibodies were all negative in sera from patients with gout, osteoarthritis (OA) and non-arthritic diseases. Thus, anti-Type II collagen antibody assay may have diagnostic significance for RA patients, especially those in whom laboratory and clinical findings provide only minimal help in diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Promoting effect of ovariectomy on hepatocellular tumorigenesis induced in mice by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene.

The treatment of female C57BL/6 x DS-F1 mice with 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me-DAB) at 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 days of age resulted in the development of hepatocellular adenomatous nodules after 10 months of age. Ovariectomy in these mice at 1 month of age hastened the development of adenomatous nodules, which then first appeared at 8 months of age. The incidence of adenomatous nodules in females ovariectomized at the age of 1 month was much higher than that in intact females of the same age. These results showed that the ovaries exerted a suppressive effect on the development of adenomatous nodules. To determine the time from which the ovaries exert this suppressive effect, females were ovariectomized at 4, 6, 8, and 10 months of age, and the incidences of adenomatous nodules were compared at 10 and 12 months of age. Delayed ovariectomy after 8 months of age did decrease the incidence of adenomatous nodules at 10 and 12 months of age, but ovariectomy after 4 and 6 months of age did not. When the incidence of adenomatous nodules in females ovariectomized at 10 months of age was examined over the subsequent 6 months, it became significantly higher after 14 months of age compared with that in intact females. The results show that the ovariectomy has the promoting effect on the development of adenomatous nodules in the liver induced by 3'-Me-DAB after 6 months of age.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

The origin of short- and long-latency mylohyoid nerve responses elicited by high-intensity electrical stimulation of intradental nerve in cats.

A double reflex response of the mylohyoid nerve to the jaw depressor muscles after electrical stimulation of the intradental nerves was recorded in cats anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. The threshold value of the long-latency (16-19 ms) response was almost 20 times greater than that of the short-latency (5-8 ms) response. At the threshold intensity of the long-latency response, the short-latency response with shorter latency appeared. After extirpation of the stimulated tooth pulp, the short-latency response with a lower threshold disappeared, whereas the short-latency response with a higher threshold and the long-latency response both persisted and showed no change in threshold or latency. These findings indicate that the low-threshold, short-latency response was due to excitation of pulpal nerve fibres, while the high-threshold, short-latency response and the long-latency response were both due to excitation of extrapulpal afferent fibres as a result of the spread of current outside the tooth.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effects of L-threo- and erythro-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine on learning performance and concentrations of brain noradrenaline and its metabolites in rats.

Effects of L-threo and L-erythro-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine [DOPS, precursor amino acids for noradrenaline (NA)] on the learning performance in a maze paradigm designed to model on the water maze paradigm using a multicomputerized behavioral analysis system were studied. A marked facilitation of learning performance was observed in rats after an intraventricular injection of 5 micrograms L-threo-DOPS (the s-NA precursor), and this effect was inhibited by a simultaneous administration of 1 or 2 micrograms propranolol (a beta-adrenergic antagonist). As concentrations of brain NA, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, and normethanephrine were increased by the injection of 5 micrograms L-threo-DOPS, the effect seemed to be derived from activation of beta-adrenoceptors in the CNS by the formed s-NA. On the other hand, an intraventricular injection of 5 micrograms L-erythro-DOPS (the r-NA precursor) attenuated the learning performance, and this effect was probably caused by the formed r-NA from L-erythro-DOPS.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A delayed response to acute stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin in scorbutic rats.

Since our previous study revealed low basal testosterone (T) levels and a failure in response to an acute stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) despite of a good response to chronic stimulation in scorbutic mutant rats, time course of the response to HCG was studied and plasma LH level was measured in young adult rats deficient in ascorbic acid for 3 weeks. A single subcutaneous injection of HCG (200 IU) elevated T levels only slightly in plasma and not in testicular tissues of scorbutic rats 1 h after the injection when the levels in ascorbutic rats reached a maximum, while it yielded the same response pattern as in ascorbutic rats after 3 h. A pretreatment with HCG to scorbutic rats for 1 or 4 days resulted in the same response of plasma T as in ascorbutic rats. Plasma LH levels in unstimulated scorbutic rats were about 40% of those in ascorbutic rats. These findings indicate that a prolonged deficiency of ascorbic acid decreases plasma LH, and may reduce the sensitivity of testes to LH.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Peroxidase and coupling activities of thyroid peroxidase in benign and malignant thyroid tumor tissues.

The coupling activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) in thyroid glands from patients with benign adenoma, papillary carcinoma, and diffuse goiter (Graves' disease) was measured for the first time, in addition to the peroxidase activity of these tissues. The peroxidase activity of TPO in the mitochondria-microsomes fraction was measured with guaiacol or iodide as the second substrate. In the case of papillary carcinoma, the mean protein-based specific activity obtained by the guaiacol assay was about 1/7 of that of diffuse goiter. The iodide oxidation activity of carcinoma was very low, about 1/25 [corrected] of that in diffuse goiter and 1/70 of that in adenoma. The peroxidase activity in adenoma was almost similar in the guaiacol oxidation assay and approximately one half in the iodide oxidation assay as compared with that in diffuse goiter. There was a close correlation between the guaiacol and iodide oxidation assays in individual patients with adenoma and diffuse goiter, but not in patients with papillary carcinoma. The coupling activity of TPO was measured with thyroglobulin purified from pooled toxic diffuse goiters and chemically iodinated to contain little additional T3 and T4. The specific coupling activity of TPO in mitochondria-microsomes from carcinoma was significantly lower (about 1/5) than that of diffuse goiter, and the activity in adenoma was not significantly different (about 1/2) from that of diffuse goiter. The data of coupling activities has a close correlation with that of peroxidase activities in individual patients with adenoma but not in patients with carcinoma. Based on these findings, the qualitative abnormality of TPO and its relation to the cold 123I scintigram in thyroid tumors are discussed.

Adenoma↗

PubMed1992

Testosterone production in mature scorbutic mutant rats unable to synthesize ascorbic acid.

The effect of a deficiency of ascorbic acid (AsA) on in-vivo testosterone production in mature male rats was investigated using a mutant strain of rats (ODS rats) unable to synthesize AsA. Male 60-day-old rats were fed AsA-deficient lab chow for 28 days with [ODS(+)] or without [ODS(-)] AsA supply. The AsA levels in the liver of ODS(-) rats were undetectable and those in the testes decreased to about 25% of those in ODS(+) rats by day 28. Plasma LH levels in ODS(-) rats decreased to about 30% of those in ODS(+) rats by day 28. However, there were no significant differences in the plasma levels of testosterone, or in the relative weights of seminal vesicles and ventral prostates between ODS(+) and ODS(-) rats. Plasma levels of testosterone in ODS(-) rats after a single injection of 200 IU hCG changed similarly to that in ODS(+) rats. The metabolic clearance rate of testosterone was also the same at 60 min after an intravenous injection of [3H]testosterone in both groups. These results indicate that AsA-deficiency in adult rats causes no significant change in basal plasma levels of testosterone or in the response to hCG, despite decreased plasma LH levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Monoclonal antibodies recognize a processing dependent epitope present in the mature CS protein of various plasmodial species.

In the present paper, we have characterized the specificity of a series of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against Plasmodium berghei sporozoites, selected for their lack of reactivity with the repeat domain of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. We found that these MoAbs recognize Pb44, the mature membrane form of the CS protein, but they do not react with Pb54, its precursor. Furthermore, these MoAbs do not react with any of the synthetic peptides representing the linear sequence of the P. berghei CS protein nor do they react with a recombinant CS (rCS) protein. These observations indicate that the epitope recognized by these antibodies is expressed only after the processing of the CS protein has occurred. This 'processing dependent epitope' is present in sporozoites of P. berghei, and also in those of P. falciparum, P. yoelii and P. brasilianum. It is not present in sporozoites of the P. cynomolgi-P. vivax complex and of P. gallinaceum. These anti-sporozoite MoAbs strongly inhibit sporozoite invasion of hepatoma cells, in vitro, however, they displayed no protective effect in an in vivo assay.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

A case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, histologically presenting CD30-positive large cell lymphoma.

A 48-year-old Japanese woman with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), histologically presenting CD30-positive large cell lymphoma is reported. The patient, who was from an ATLL endemic area in Japan, had cutaneous nodules in the head, trunk, and extremities, and cervical lymph node swelling; these had been found three months before her admission to our hospital. A biopsy specimen of a skin lesion showed diffuse large cell lymphoma; the lymphoma cells were positively stained with CD30 (Ki-1/Ber H-2), CD4 (helper-T), and CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor) antibodies. Anti HTLV-1 antibody (ATLA) was detected in the serum, and molecular cytogenetic studies of lymphoma cells showed both positive T-cell receptor rearrangement and HTLV-1 specific DNA sequences.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed1992

Functional changes in temperature-sensitive mutants of the adenovirus single-stranded DNA-binding protein are accompanied by structural alterations.

Adenovirus requires the virus-encoded single-stranded DNA-binding protein (DBP) to replicate its DNA. We have previously shown (M. Tsuji, P. C. van der Vliet, and G. R. Kitchingman, J. Biol. Chem. 266:16178-16187, 1991) that the inability of three temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant DBPs (Ad2+ ND1ts23, Ad2ts111A, and Ad5ts125) to support DNA replication at the nonpermissive temperature was associated with impaired ability to bind to DNA. In this study, we examined these mutant proteins for structural alterations that might be linked to the functional changes. All three ts mutants, but not the wild-type protein, showed different proteolytic cleavage patterns before and after heating at 40 degrees C (the nonpermissive temperature), suggesting a possible conformational change during heating. The Ad2+ND1ts23 and Ad2ts111A DBPs have single amino acid changes located in a putative zinc finger subdomain (positions 282 and 280). In the presence of zinc ions, these ts mutants showed significantly increased resistance to inactivation at 40 degrees C. Surprisingly, however, the stabilizing effect of zinc was also observed with the Ad5ts125DBP, which contains a mutation located more than 100 amino acids from the zinc finger. Other related metal ions, such as cobalt, cadmium, and mercury, did not protect the ts DBPs from inactivation at 40 degrees C. These results indicate that functional changes of the ts DBPs in DNA replication and DNA binding are accompanied by structural alterations in the protein and that zinc and the metal-binding subdomain may play an important role in the structure and/or function of the DBP.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed1992

The Rolandic mu rhythm: a clinical study of the atypical group.

We studied 241 patients whose electroencephalograms (EEGs) showed 7-13 Hz arch shaped wave patterns (mu rhythm) that are known to appear in the Rolandic area. The patients were then classified into two groups depending on the conditions of appearance of the mu rhythm. Group I (typical group) consisted of 171 cases. In this group, the presence of the wave patterns was not affected by the opening of the eyes, and it was blocked by spontaneous movements, or when sensorimotor stimulation was applied. The characteristic symptoms for this group were observed in patients diagnosed as having well-controlled epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, collagen diseases, etc. In Group I, the peak lay between the ages 6 through 15. Group II (atypical group) consisted of 70 cases. In contrast to Group I, the presence of the wave patterns in this group was reinforced by drowsiness, photic stimulation and hyperventilation. The characteristic symptoms for this group were observed in patients diagnosed as having intractable epilepsy or organic brain disorders. In Group II the peak lay between ages 11 through 15. However, in Group II the cases were almost equally distributed among the various age groups. Paroxysmal abnormal EEG patterns were found to be jointly present with more frequency in the Group II sample of epileptic patients than the Group I sample. Therefore, when the mu rhythm associated with conditions indicating Group II type patients is observed, care must be exercised in the observation of further progression of the illness, and in searching for the possibility of organic brain disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Effect of human recombinant mullerian inhibiting substance on isolated epithelial and mesenchymal cells during mullerian duct regression in the rat.

The effect of human recombinant Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) on the regression of the Mullerian duct (MD) of female rat fetuses was examined in vitro to determine whether MIS acts on MD epithelium and/or mesenchyme at the critical periods of sexual differentiation. Urogenital ridges (URs) of female rat fetuses at 14.5- to 18.5-days of gestation (plug day = 0) were cultured for 3 days with or without recombinant human MIS in CMRL 1066 medium with 10% female fetal calf serum. In URs from 14.5- and 15.5-day-old fetuses, the cranial portion of the MD regressed almost completely during the 3-day culture period in the presence of MIS, whereas the caudal half to third of the MD remained intact but tapered to a fine point cranially. MDs survived in URs from 16.5-day-old fetuses cultured in the presence of MIS except that the cranial portion of the MDs was deformed. MIS did not elicit regression of MDs in URs obtained from 17.5- and 18.5-day-old fetuses, but instead caused the MD epithelium to form bulges projecting into the mesenchyme. MD epithelium at 15.5-days of gestation was separated from the surrounding UR mesenchyme, and both components (MD epithelium and mesenchyme) were cultured separately for 3 days in the presence or absence of MIS. Both epithelial and mesenchymal cells survived in the presence or absence of MIS. MD epithelium formed typical epithelial colonies, whereas UR mesenchyme spread as fibroblastic cells. Analysis of labeling index after incorporation of [3H] thymidine demonstrated that MD epithelial DNA synthesis was not influenced by MIS. In contrast, mesenchymal labeling index was reduced significantly by MIS. This effect of MIS on UR mesenchyme in conjunction with earlier histological observations of mesenchymal condensation during MD regression and an absence of direct effects of MIS on the epithelium suggests that MIS elicits its effect on the MD epithelium via the surrounding mesenchyme.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Evaluation of a new penetration enhancer 1-[2-(decylthio)ethyl]azacyclopentan-2-one (HPE-101).

A new compound, 1-[2-(decylthio)ethyl]azacyclopentan-2-one (HPE-101) was synthesized, and its skin penetration enhancing activity was examined by using 14C-indomethacin as a penetrant. A solution of HPE-101 and indomethacin was applied to a cloth pad affixed onto an adhesive tape to give a HPE-101 patch, and the patch was applied to hairless mouse skin. The amount of percutaneously absorbed indomethacin was determined by measuring the radioactivity excreted in urine for 24 h after application. 1) Azone and decylmethyl sulfoxide, enhanced markedly the percutaneous absorption of indomethacin when the propylene glycol-ethanol (9:1 v/v) mixture was used as the solvent. 2) Among various penetration enhancers dissolved in the indomethacin solutions and applied to screen for penetration enhancing activity, HPE-101 was found to be the most prominent. 3) Solvents containing more than 3% (w/w) of HPE-101 produced a plateau level of the penetration enhancing activity. 4) Daily application of 1% (w/w) solutions of HPE-101 or Azone increased the daily excretion of indomethacin significantly above the level excreted on the previous day. However, repeated daily application beyond 3 d gave a steady state excretion of indomethacin. 5) The mouse skin was pretreated with 3% (w/w) solutions of HPE-101 or Azone for 24 h on the 1st day, and the indomethacin solution was applied for 24 h on the 3rd day and 7th day to examine the recovery of skin barrier function. Enhanced excretion of indomethacin was still noted on the 3rd day, but enhancement was not observed on the 7th day.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Intravascular ultrasound imaging in human peripheral and coronary arteries in vivo.

To determine the feasibility of intravascular ultrasound imaging in vivo, a miniaturized high frequency transducer catheter was introduced into human peripheral (n = 10) and coronary (n = 4) arteries. Cross-sectional ultrasound images were obtained from iliofemoral arteries in 10 patients using a 20 MHz transducer catheter (1.2 mm in diameter) and from coronary arteries in 4 patients using a 30 MHz transducer catheter 5 French size (Fr) following successful coronary angioplasty. Ultrasound images obtained from peripheral arteries showed a three-layered appearance (echo-reflective intima, echo-lucent media and echo-reflective adventitia) in the normal arteries. In diseased arteries, the location, amount and extent of atheromatous plaque were clearly documented. The arterial diameters measured by ultrasound closely correlated with the measurements by angiography (r = 0.91) in the peripheral arteries. Coronary angiograms obtained following balloon angioplasty revealed smooth edges at the dilatation sites without significant narrowing in all patients. However, a significant amount of residual atheromatous plaque was clearly observed on the ultrasound images at the previously dilated sites. Coronary dissection, which was identified as an echo-lucent area behind the plaque, was noted in 2 patients. Ultrasound images also revealed the presence of calcium in the plaque which was unrecognized on the angiograms in 3 patients. In addition, direct measurement of the lumen cross-sectional area was possible on the ultrasound images.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed1992

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF)--study by subcutaneous administration of PNF prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy in rats].

A fertility study of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a newly synthesized corticosteroid, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. This compound was administered subcutaneously at dose levels of 0(control), 0.04, 0.2 and 1 mg/kg/day to males for 63 days before mating and during the mating period, and to females for 14 days before mating, through the mating period and until day 7 of pregnancy. Each 24 male and female rats were mated, and females were killed on day 20 of pregnancy to examine their fetuses. 1. In the parental animals, loss of fur or thin fur and incrustation of treated site occurred in male rats treated at doses of 0.2 mg/kg or more and female rats treated at dose of 1 mg/kg, and at the same dose groups, the thinning of skin, atrophy of the thymus and intention of the substance at the injected site were noted. Moreover, body weight gains and food consumption were suppressed in both sexes treated at the dose of 1 mg/kg. 2. Fertility and reproductive ability in both sexes, and estrus cycles in female rats were not affected by administration of PNF. 3. In the fetuses, no embryonic or fetal lethal effect and teratogenic effect were noted. From these results, the no-effect dose levels of PNF on the parental general states, the parental reproductive ability and those of the fetuses are thought to be 0.04 mg/kg/day, 1 mg/kg/day or more and 1 mg/kg/day or more, respectively, under the experimental conditions of this study.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF)--study by subcutaneous administration of PNF during the period of fetal organogenesis in rats].

A teratogenicity study of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a newly synthesized corticosteroid, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. This compound was administrated subcutaneously to female rats at dose levels of 0(control), 1, 5 and 25 mg/kg/day, once a day, for 11 days from day 7 to day 17 of pregnancy. In each dose group, 26 or 27 dams were killed on day 20 of pregnancy to examine their fetuses. The remaining 14 or 15 dams of each group were allowed to litter naturally, and observations were made on the postnatal growth and development of their offspring. 1. In the dams treated at doses of 1 mg/kg or more, decreased body weight gains and food consumption and retention of the substance at the injected site were noted. However, general signs, parturition, lactation and nursing behaviors were not affected by the administration of PNF. 2. In the F1 fetuses, no embryonic or fetal lethal effect, fetal retardation and teratogenic effect were noted. 3. In the F1 newborns, the postnatal growth, development, responses, behaviors, learning ability and reproductive ability were not influenced. Additionally, no embryonic or fetal abnormalities of their fetuses (F2) were detected. From these results, the no-effect dose levels of PNF on the parental general states, the parental reproductive ability and those of the F1 offspring are thought to be less than 1 mg/kg/day, 25 mg/kg/day and 25 mg/kg/day, respectively, under the experimental conditions of this study. Moreover, the F2 fetuses are not affected by doses up to 25 mg/kg/day of PNF.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity study of prednisolone farnesylate (PNF)--study of subcutaneous administration of PNF during the perinatal and lactation periods in rats].

The effects of Prednisolone farnesylate (PNF), a newly synthesized corticosteroid, administrated during the perinatal and postnatal periods were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. This compound was injected subcutaneously to female rats at dose levels of 0(control), 0.05, 0.5 and 5 mg/kg/day, once a day, for the period from day 17 of pregnancy to day 21 after parturition. Twenty-two to 25 dams in each dose group were allowed to litter naturally, and observations were made on the postnatal growth and development of their offspring. 1. In the dams treated at doses of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg, decreased body weight gains, atrophy of the thymus and retention of the substance at the injected site were noted. However, general signs, food consumption, parturition, lactation and nursing behaviors were not affected by the administration of PNF. 2. In the F1 newborns, the postnatal growth, development, responses, behaviors, learning ability and reproductive ability were not influenced. Additionally, no embryonic or fetal abnormalities of their fetuses (F2) were detected. From these results, the no-effect dose levels of PNF on the parental general states, the parental reproductive ability and those of the F1 offspring are thought to be 0.05 mg/kg/day, 5 mg/kg/day or more and 5 mg/kg/day or more, respectively, under the experimental conditions of this study. Moreover, the F2 fetuses are not affected by doses up to 5 mg/kg/day of PNF.

Animals↗