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Biomedical subjects

N Hattori

Publications and source records attributed to N Hattori.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Elevation of 4 beta-galactosyltransferase activity for paragloboside synthesis in sera of patients with cancer.

Galactosyltransferase activities in sera of cancer patients were determined by assaying the formation of paragloboside from UDP-galactose and lactotriaosylceramide immobilized on microtiter plates by means of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a monoclonal antibody, H-11, directed to paragloboside. Enzyme properties were as follows. Optimum pH was 6.8 in cacodylate buffer, and Km values were 2 microM for lactotriaosylceramide and 29 microM for UDP-galactose. The enzyme activity was inhibited by the addition of alpha-lactalbumin. Glucose (20 mM) inhibited the enzyme activity in the presence of alpha-lactalbumin (0.1 mg/ml) but not in its absence. These enzyme properties are similar to those of bovine milk galactosyltransferase, indicating that the enzyme in the sera might be lactose synthetase. The enzyme activities in sera from patients with cancer, patients with benign disease, or a reference sample group were assayed. The activity was below the limit of detection (5.5 pmol/25 microliters serum/2 h) in the reference sample group. Remarkable elevations of the enzyme activity were observed with high incidence in patients with cancer, especially those with blood cancer (100%). A high incidence was observed in the progressive stage, and the enzyme activity was detected at stage 1 in lung, esophagus, stomach, colorectal, and testis cancer. The enzyme activity in sera from patients with benign disease was elevated in 22% of the patients. After effective therapies, the enzyme activity decreased to below the limit of detection. Release of the galactosyltransferase into culture medium of cancer cells could be demonstrated. These observations suggest that the galactosyltransferase is released from cancer tissue into the circulation. The present method for the assay of galactosyltransferase may be useful for the detection of patients with cancer and for monitoring neoplastic recurrence after therapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Serum growth hormone-binding protein, insulin-like growth factor-I, and growth hormone in patients with liver cirrhosis.

We determined serum growth hormone-binding protein (GHBP), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) levels in patients with cirrhosis and in age-matched control subjects, and investigated their relationships. Serum GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients (14.6% +/- 3.9%) (means +/- SD) were significantly lower than those in normal subjects (20.4% +/- 4.7%). GHBP levels had positive correlations with cholinesterase (r = .58, P less than .001) and Normotest (r = .66, P less than .001), both of which represent liver function in cirrhotic patients. Basal GH levels in cirrhotic patients (range, 0.35 to 13.0 micrograms/L; median, 3.9 micrograms/L) were significantly higher than those in normal subjects (0.015 to 6.0 micrograms/L; 0.19 microgram/L). GHBP levels in cirrhotic patients correlated positively with IGF-I levels (r = .39, P less than .01), and negatively with GH levels (r = -.33, P less than .01). These results may indicate that the serum GHBP level reflects the number of hepatic GH receptors, and that the high basal GH level observed in cirrhotic patients is, at least in part, attributable to decreased clearance of GH by these receptors.

Bilirubin

Expression and characterization of glycoprotein gp35 of hepatitis C virus using recombinant vaccinia virus.

Complementary DNA clones corresponding to one of the putative structural regions of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome were obtained from sera of non-A non-B hepatitis patients. The putative envelope gene was expressed by using a recombinant vaccinia virus carrying this region of the HCV genome. In cells infected with the recombinant vaccinia virus, a glycosylated protein with an M(r) of about 35K (gp35) was specifically detected by convalescent sera from hepatitis C patients. The sera from rabbits immunized with this recombinant vaccinia virus reacted to the gp35 produced in insect cells and also to gp35 which was translated in vitro in the glycosylated and processed form. The gp35 was used to detect antibodies in sera of only 7 to 23% of HCV patients at various stages of HCV disease. These results suggest that the gp35 of HCV may not have high antigenicity in humans.

Amino Acid Sequence

Growth hormone binding protein in Werner's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: GH and growth hormone binding protein in Werner's syndrome were investigated to elucidate their relation to the short stature. DESIGN: The levels of GH binding protein and GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia were determined. GH binding protein levels and its Scatchard analysis in Werner's syndrome were compared with those in normal subjects. PATIENTS: Three patients with Werner's syndrome (one man aged 45 years and two women aged 39 and 38 years) and 41 normal subjects (18 men and 23 women aged 39.3 +/- 5.5 years, mean +/- SD) were studied. MEASUREMENTS: GH binding protein levels were determined using an Ultrogel AcA44 minicolumn and GH levels were measured by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Two out of three patients with Werner's syndrome had GH binding protein levels above the mean +/- 2SD value in normal subjects. GH secretion was impaired in Werner's syndrome as judged by the low GH response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated GH binding protein levels may lead to an increase in the bound form of GH, which is probably less bioactive, resulting in growth failure in association with the impaired GH secretion in Werner's syndrome.

Adult

Autoantibody to human prolactin in patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia.

We have demonstrated the presence of anti-PRL autoantibody in 5 patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. The clinical features were suggestive of a weak biological activity of PRL, such as regular menses and no galactorrhea. Total PRL levels were markedly elevated (685 +/- 386 micrograms/L) (mean +/- SD) and the proportion of the bound form was 90.7 +/- 7.1%. Scatchard analysis revealed a low-affinity, high-capacity antibody: the association constant was 0.73 +/- 0.56 x 10(7) mol-1 and the maximal binding capacity was 2139 +/- 1792 micrograms/L. Gel filtration study showed that a substantial amount of PRL (64.6 +/- 19.5%) was eluted at the position of 150,000-170,000 mol wt PRL (big-big PRL). Immunoprecipitation study using the chain-specific antibodies showed that the anti-PRL autoantibody belonged to kappa-type immunoglobulin G. These results may indicate that there exists autoantibody-related hyperprolactinemia, especially in those with particularly high serum PRL levels, who had previously been diagnosed as "idiopathic" hyperprolactinemia.

Adult

Kynostatin (KNI)-227 and -272, highly potent anti-HIV agents: conformationally constrained tripeptide inhibitors of HIV protease containing allophenylnorstatine.

Selective and potent HIV protease inhibitors containing allophenylnorstatine [Apns; (2S, 3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid] as a transition-state mimic were designed and synthesized. Among them, conformationally constrained tripeptide derivatives, kynostatin (KNI)-227 and -272 (Fig. 1), exhibited highly potent antiviral activities against a wide spectrum of HIV isolates. Ready availability due to the simple synthetic procedure and the excellent antiviral properties indicate that KNI-227 and KNI-272 are promising candidates as selective anti-AIDS drugs.

Antiviral Agents

A normal ovulatory woman with hyperprolactinemia: presence of anti-prolactin autoantibody and the regulation of prolactin secretion.

We present the case of a normal ovulatory woman with marked hyperprolactinemia and no evidence of a pituitary adenoma on CT and MRI. Gel filtration studies showed that most immunoreactive PRL was eluted as 150K-170K macroprolactin. Anti-PRL autoantibody was detected and Scatchard analysis revealed a low-affinity (the association constant: 1.29 x 10(7) l/mol), high-capacity (the maximal binding capacity: 1174 micrograms/l) antibody. Dopamine had little suppressive effect on PRL levels and an antidopaminergic agent elicited an augmented response of PRL secretion. These results suggest that the presence of anti-PRL autoantibody may delay the clearance of PRL and/or may alter the central regulation of PRL secretion.

Adult

Hypokalemic paralysis associated with distal renal tubular acidosis.

A 68-year-old man had hydronephrosis due to ureteral stones for two months earlier and then increasing muscle weakness developed. A 30-year-old woman had rapidly progressive quadriparesis. In both cases, severe hypokalemia with metabolic acidosis was observed and the diagnosis of distal renal tubular acidosis was made. The former was considered to be an idiopathic incomplete form and the latter was a secondary complete form associated with Sjögren syndrome. Hypokalemic paralysis may occur as a complication of distal renal tubular acidosis.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular

Plasma dopamine, urinary dopamine and their metabolites in chronic renal failure.

To assess the clinical features of the dopamine (DA) metabolism in chronic renal failure patients (CRF), measurements were made of the plasma DA, norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EN) and their urinary metabolites in 6 healthy controls and 13 CRF patients before and after administration of oral DA (KW-3160, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.). The data obtained, including that for impaired DA metabolites in the patients with chronic renal failure, can be summarized as follows: I) Synthesis: In the plasma, the DA, NE and EN levels were not significantly different in the CRF patients as compared to those in normal controls, but the excretions of urinary free DA, NE and EN were markedly lower, and the free and conjugated DA, NE and EN levels were significantly decreased in the CRF patients after DA administration. These findings indicate that the plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity is inhibited in CRF patients. II) Degradation: Increased levels of urinary free and conjugated 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and decreased levels of urinary conjugated homovanillic acid (HVA) were observed, indicating that the monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the plasma is possibly augmented, and the catecholamine O-methyl transferase (COMT) activity inhibited, in uremic patients. III) Excretion: The urinary excretions of free DOPAC, HVA, NE and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and of conjugated DA and DOPAC were significantly correlated with the creatinine clearance. These data suggest that the excretion of urinary DA and part of its metabolites may be regulated by the renal function.

Administration, Oral

[Cefepime (BMY-28142 diHCl/L-arginine blend): one-month repeated dose subcutaneous toxicity study in rats].

In order to investigate the toxicity of cefepime (CFPM, BMY-28142 diHCl/L-arginine blend upon repeated subcutaneous dosing), the test article was administered to Crj:CD(SD) rats of both sexes at daily dose levels of 150 (low dose), 500 (intermediate dose) and 1,500 (high dose) mg/kg/day by subcutaneous route for 28 days. Two additional groups of rats were given either saline (negative control) or L-arginine (vehicle control). Doses were equally divided and administered twice each day with an interval of approximately 5 hours between the 2 doses of a same day. A half of rats in negative control and high dose groups were retained for examination during one-month recovery period. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Upon general observations, it was found that drug-related changes were restricted to the injection sites. Depilation and scab-formation of the injection sites were noted in high dose rats of both sexes and intermediate dose females. No deaths occurred during the study. 2. Slightly depressed body weight gains were observed for high dose males during the latter part of the dosing period. 3. Slightly lower food consumptions were noted for intermediate and high dose males at Week 1. 4. Slightly higher water consumptions were generally detected for high dose rats during the dosing period. 5. Hematological examinations revealed that a slight decrease in the average value of relative lymphocyte counts and a slight increase in the average value of relative segmented neutrophil counts were evident for high dose males. These findings might be attributable to the inflammatory reactions at the injection sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Apolipoprotein A-I deficiency due to a codon 84 nonsense mutation of the apolipoprotein A-I gene.

The molecular genetic defect of a female patient with apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) deficiency and premature atherosclerosis was examined. Her parents were first cousins. Her plasma density fraction from 1.063 to 1.21 g/ml contained no apoA-I on SDS/PAGE and no measurable high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Southern blot hybridization showed no gross abnormality to be present in the patient's apoA-I gene and homozygosity for a haplotype of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the apoA-I gene region. Sequencing after amplification by PCR revealed a codon 84 nonsense mutation (CAG----TAG, Gln----stop) of exon 4 and a codon 67 missense mutation (GCC----ACC, Ala----Thr) of exon 3 in the patient's apoA-I gene. The data from dot-blot hybridization with allele-specific oligonucleotide probes indicated that she was homozygous for the apoA-I gene with regard to the two mutations. The codon 37 missense mutation was also detected in the apoA-I gene of 6 out of 60 controls, who all had normal levels of apoA-I and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, suggesting that the missense mutation is polymorphic and not associated with apoA-I deficiency. These findings indicate that homozygosity for the apoA-I gene with codon 84 nonsense mutation causes the deficiency of apoA-I and of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the patient.

Adult

[A case of pregnancy-induced lymphocytic adenohypophysitis complicated by postpartum painless thyroiditis].

We report a patient with pregnancy-induced lymphocytic adenohypophysitis complicated by postpartum painless thyroiditis. A 27-year-old female noticed visual field defect in the 36th week of pregnancy. After delivery in the 39th week by cesarean section, she was admitted for close examination. Goiter was not palpable, and postpartum galactorrhea was not observed. Routine examination revealed no abnormal findings. On October 8, 1989, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor image (height 22.4mm) from the sella turcia to suprasellar cistern with a lower signal intensity than that of the white matter on T1 weighted images and a high signal intensity on T2 weighted images. Gd-DTPA contrast images showed a symmetrical and homogeneous tumor image at the same site. However, the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland appeared normal. These findings suggested lymphocytic adenohypophysitis. The LH was less than 0.3mIU/ml. The FSH (7.8mIU/ml), PRL (12ng/ml), GH (1.6ng/ml) and cortisol (10 micrograms/dl) levels were normal. T4 was 5.3 micrograms/dl, T3 67ng/dl, fT4 0.53ng/dl, which indicated mild hypothyroidism, but the TSH was normal. TRH test showed a slight increase in TSH and no response of PRL. Insulin tolerance test showed delayed response of GH and normal response of cortisol. LHRH test revealed no response of LH and delayed response of FSH. Anti-GH3 cell antibody and anti-thyroglobulin antibody were positive, but the anti-AtT20 cell antibody was negative. Since visual disturbance improved, and slight reduction in the mass (height 20.1mm) was confirmed by MRI after delivery on October 21, her course was observed without treatment. After 1 month, the LH became detectable, but the PRL and cortisol decreased to 2.5ng/ml and 6.0 micrograms/dl, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Immunohistochemical studies on complexes I, II, III, and IV of mitochondria in Parkinson's disease.

We examined the substantia nigra of 8 patients with Parkinson's disease immunohistochemically using antisera against complexes I, II, III, and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport system. In the patients with Parkinson's disease, a fair proportion of the nigral neurons showed reduced staining against the complex I antibody. The proportion of the neurons with reduced staining ranged from 12.7 to 74.1% of the melanized nigral neurons. Although neurons with reduced immunostaining for complex I were also observed in control subjects, the proportion among the nigral neurons was significantly smaller than in parkinsonian patients. Staining for complexes III and IV appeared normal. Staining of substantia nigra for complex II was decreased in 3 parkinsonian patients. These results are consistent with our findings that there is a deletion of gene coding for the four subunits in the mitochondrial DNA located in the striata of parkinsonian patients.

Adult

A second group of hepatitis C viruses.

cDNA clone 11-7 was isolated by immunoscreening a cDNA library that was prepared from a pooled plasma of non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH) patients using expression vector lambda gt11. This cDNA corresponds to known nucleotide positions 3983-4745 of the genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV). This clone was used as a probe for screening the HCV-related cDNAs in a cDNA library similarly prepared by using lambda gt10. As a result, six more cDNA clones were isolated and analyzed for their nucleotide sequences. The results strongly suggested that there are at least two groups of HCV, group I and group II. According to our classification, the prototype HCV and clone 11-7 belong to group I HCV, and their nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were diverged from those of group II HCV. Genetic variation observed in the nucleotide and the amino acid sequences between the two groups resembles that in the NS3 region of the genome between Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile fever virus. Polypeptides produced in Escherichia coli carrying a clone 11-7 or a group II cDNA clone E reacted with antibodies in the blood of 12 or 4 out of 14 individual chronic NANBH patients, respectively. Our data clearly indicate the existence of a second group of HCV.

Amino Acid Sequence

Effects of sex and age on serum GH binding protein levels in normal adults.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of sex and age on serum growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) levels during adulthood were investigated. DESIGN: The levels of GHBP, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and growth hormone (GH) were determined and analysed as a function of sex and age. PATIENTS: We studied 101 normal adults (45 men, aged 20-77 years; 56 women, aged 20-80 years). MEASUREMENTS: GHBP levels were determined using an Ultrogel AcA 44 minicolumn. RESULTS: During the second and third decade, GHBP levels were not different between men (22.8 +/- 1.1%) (mean +/- SE) and women (23.2 +/- 0.8%). After the age of 40 years, however, GHBP levels in men were significantly decreased (19.1 +/- 0.7%), and were lower than those in women (22.7 +/- 0.9%). IGF-I levels correlated positively with GHBP levels in men (r = 0.51, P less than 0.01) but not in women (r = 0.16, NS). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that both sex and age may have some effects on the GH-GH receptor-IGF-I axis.

Adult

Dispensable role of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 Vpx protein in viral replication.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) is similar in genetic organization to HIV-1 but contains a unique gene (vpx) that encodes a 16-kDa protein. A replication-competent molecular clone of HIV-2 (HIV-2sbl/isy) that infects human primary cells in vitro and rhesus monkeys was used to generate three mutations in the vpx gene. In the first mutant, the vpx open reading frame was truncated at amino acid 20; the second mutant was tailored to eliminate the proline-rich carboxyl terminus of the protein; and the third mutant was obtained by addition of four amino acids (KDEL) to the carboxyl terminus of the protein to provide a retention signal in the endoplasmic reticulum. The viral infection kinetics of the three mutant viruses and isogeneic HIV-2sbl/isy in the SupT1 cell line were similar. Slight impairment in the early phases of viral replication was observed during infection of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the vpx mutant viruses. All of the vpx mutant viruses readily infected macrophages, indicating that vpx expression is dispensable for HIV-2 infection and replication in human macrophages.

Amino Acid Sequence

Rational design and synthesis of a novel class of active site-targeted HIV protease inhibitors containing a hydroxymethylcarbonyl isostere. Use of phenylnorstatine or allophenylnorstatine as a transition-state mimic.

A novel class of HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing a hydroxymethylcarbonyl (HMC) isostere were designed from the substrate transition state and synthesized. Phenylnorstatine [Pns; (2R,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid] and the 2S diastereomer, (2S,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid, named allophenylnorstatine (Apns) were effective transition-state mimics, and incorporation of Pns-Pro or Apns-Pro at the P1-P1' site gave potent and specific HIV-1 protease inhibitors. In the inhibitory assays, the chemically synthesized [Ala67,95] HIV-1 protease was used.

Amino Acid Sequence