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N Ohno

Publications and source records attributed to N Ohno.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Application of limulus test (G pathway) for the detection of different conformers of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans.

The reactivity of factor G mediated coagulation pathway in limulus amebocyte lysate which is triggered by (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans is thought to depend on the structure of the glucans, especially on the ultrastructure: triple helix, single helix and random coil. We used Sonifilan (SPG) and grifolan (GRN) as parent compounds to compare the reactivities of these three conformers. Under a neutral condition, alkaline treated SPG (SPG-OH, single helix) and polycarboxylated SPG (PC-SPG, random coil) showed significantly stronger reactivity than untreated SPG (triple helix). After the alkaline treatment, all three conformers showed comparable reactivities. It is suggested that the pretreatment of the glucan preparations by sodium hydroxide is quite important to compare quantitatively the reactivity of the glucans by limulus test, and comparing the data of untreated and alkaline treated glucans would provide information about their conformations. Using this approach, it was found that after heat treatment at around 150 degrees C, the conformation of GRN was changed to rich in the triple helix, and that following sodium hydroxide treatment and dialysis of GRN, the conformation of GRN was changed to single helix rich conformer. About half of the single helix conformer was gradually changed to triple helix conformer over one week at 4 degrees C.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed1993

Ultrastructure and function of cilia and spermatozoa flagella in a patient with Kartagener's syndrome.

A 37-year-old man with the characteristic clinical signs of Kartagener's syndrome, including bronchiectasia, chronic paranasal sinusitis, and situs inversus, was found to have immotile cilia and sperm. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the majority of cilia lacked dynein arms and radial spokes and that various defects of microorgans existed in the sperm. The most frequent defect was total defect of axoneme followed by defect of inner dynein arms in the sperm. These findings suggest an association between the structural abnormality of absent inner dynein arms and immotility of cilia and sperm in Kartagener's syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Hard palate shape in the Japanese and Indian children on moiré topography with lateral movement of a grating].

In the present study, the hard palate of Japanese and Indian children was investigated. These children lived in different geographical areas and have different cranial characteristics, pronunciation and eating habits. Fifty-one Japanese children (26 boys and 25 girls, 3 years of age) and 66 Indian school children (31 boys and 35 girls, 5-7 years of age). The maxillary negative cast models were observed and three-dimensional measurements were taken of the hard palate with moiré Topography. The following results were obtained. 1. The palatal width and length in Japanese children was larger than the Indian children, but not in palatal height. The palatal height was significantly larger in the Indian children than in the Japanese children. 2. Observation of the moiré fringes on the deepest palate by moiré Topography shows that the Japanese children and Indian girls have a higher incidence of Crosswise type than Lengthwise type. The Indian boys have a slightly higher incidence of Lengthwise type than Crosswise type. The girls have a higher incidence of the Butterfly and Separate types than the boys. 3. The anteroposterior location on the deepest palate by moiré Topography: the Japanese children have significantly higher incidences of anterior location than the Indian children. Changes of anteroposterior location between the ages of 5 and 7 in the Indian children: the prevalence of posterior location appears to increase with age. 4. The hard palate shapes of the Japanese children appear to be broad and shallow, but those of the Indian children appear to be narrow and deep. This difference appears to be more remarkable in the boys. The shape and size of the hard palate appears to be due to genetic differences, in addition to the weather conditions, pronunciation and eating habits.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1993

[Transcranial Doppler monitor in the case of selective cerebral perfusion].

Six patients underwent ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement for aneurysmal disease between 1991.12-1992.2 using the cardiopulmonary bypass technique with selective cerebral perfusion from right axillary artery. For four patients, intraoperative transcranial Doppler monitorings of left MCA flow velocity were done. We added left carotid artery perfusion for 5 patients because of old age; 1, intraoperative finding of anisocoria; 1 and low left MCA flow velocity on the TCD monitor; 3. After the addition of left side perfusion, the left MCA flow velocity on the TCD monitor recovered to normal level in the 3 patients. TCD reflected the cerebral perfusion state every minutes and seemed to be very useful monitor in selective cerebral perfusion. It also suggested that unilateral cerebral perfusion does not supply enough blood flow in contralateral side of brain in many cases. To another patient who also underwent aortic arch replacement, we examined preoperatively left MCA flow velocity on the TCD monitor under left carotid artery compression. This "carotid artery compression test" was thought to suggest the degree of right to left intracranial collateral blood flow via Willis's circle. TCD image, when the left carotid artery was clamped, was compared with the result of preoperative "carotid artery compression test". But we can't evaluate the results quantitatively now.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Two types of murine CD34 mRNA generated by alternative splicing.

To characterize and clarify the function of CD34 antigen experimentally, we isolated two types of CD34 mRNA from a cDNA library of murine stromal cell line, PA-6 stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 12-o-tetra-decanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) using a human CD34 probe. In addition to the clone (open reading frame [ORF]:1149bp) reported by Brown et al, a novel clone (ORF:978 bp) was obtained. The difference between the two clones was in the cytoplasmic portion of CD34; the former has 73 amino acids, while the latter has 16. We investigated the genomic sequence of cytoplasmic portion and found conserved nucleotide sequences at the exon-intron junction (GT ... AG). Thus, it was concluded that alternative splicing gave two types of CD34 mRNA. A novel clone contains the longer cDNA, including a insert of 156 bp, but results in a shorter predicted coding sequence because of the introduction of an inframe stop codon. Northern blot analysis using a murine cDNA probe (HindIII fragment, 900 bp) showed that CD34 was highly expressed in the brain and testis, and moderately in the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow, but not in adult liver. However, day 12 to 14 fetal liver cells showed significant expression of CD34. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and testis RNA gave two bands of almost equal intensity, but in the brain a novel clone was expressed three times more than the other clone. Furthermore, Northern blot analysis using a probe (156 bp) specific for the spliced intracellular region confirmed the significant mRNA expression of a novel clone. Although the biologic significance of alternative splicing remains to be elucidated, it is suggested that a different carboxyterminal tail causes a change in signal transduction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Enhancement of murine alveolar macrophage functions by orally administered beta-glucan.

The effect of orally administered SSG, a beta-1,3-glucan obtained from the culture filtrate of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395, on alveolar macrophage (AM) functions of CDF1 mice was examined. SSG administered orally (20, 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days enhanced the lysosomal enzyme activity of AM. The greatest enhancing effect was observed at 80 mg/kg of SSG. Multiple oral administrations of SSG (10 consecutive days) were needed to induce significant enhancing effects. Phagocytic activity and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production of AM were also augmented by oral administration of SSG, and the kinetics of the activated state differed depending on the kind of activity. However, H2O2 production of AM was not affected by SSG. Orally administered SSG also (40 or 80 mg/kg, 10 consecutive days) increased the number of AM and the greatest increment was observed 14 days after the first administration. On the other hand, the supernatant of Peyer's patch (PP) cells from mice administered SSG (80 mg/kg) orally stimulated the lysosomal enzyme activity of AM in vitro, and enhanced colony stimulating activity (CSA) was detected from this supernatant. These results demonstrate that SSG given by the oral route can activate murine AM both qualitatively and quantitatively, and it would mediated, at least in part, by the activation of PP cells in the intestine.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1992

Anatomical study of the root apex in the maxillary anterior teeth.

The purpose of this study was to investigate anatomically the apical portion of the root canal of human maxillary anterior teeth. Thirty maxillary central incisors, 30 maxillary lateral incisors, and 30 maxillary cuspids were used. These were teeth from patients ranging in age from 11 to 73 yr. The root apex and main apical foramen coincided in 16.7% of central incisors and cuspids and in 6.7% of the lateral incisors. The labiolingual diameter of the root canal at the apical constriction of the central incisors, lateral incisors, and cuspids averaged 0.425 mm, 0.369 mm, and 0.375 mm, respectively; and the respective vertical distances between apex and apical constriction were 0.863 mm, 0.825 mm, and 1.010 mm.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Modification of immunopharmacological activities of synthetic monosaccharide lipid A analogue, GLA60, by lysozyme.

Recent studies by our group suggested that lysozyme has a high affinity for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of both the smooth and rough forms, and inhibits various immunomodulatory activities of LPS. GLA60 is a synthetic monosaccharide analogue of bacterial lipid A well known as having most of the activities of lipid A with very low toxicity. In this study, we characterized the interaction of lysozyme with GLA60 in comparison to that with Escherichia coli 0111 LPS (smooth form) by means of an immunopharmacological approach. Using dansylated lysozyme (DNS-LZM) as a probe, LZM was found to bind to GLA60. The mitogenic and polyclonal B-cell activating activities were significantly reduced by complex formation. However, there was no inhibitory effect on GLA60 induced production of IL-1 and TNF of macrophages. Interestingly, the activities of macrophages induced by the complex were found to be significantly higher than those induced by GLA60 itself. In contrast, the activities of 0111 LPS were significantly inhibited by LZM. Since the GLA60-LZM complex produced a turbid suspension but the 0111 LPS-LZM complex remained soluble, we consider that the activities of GLA60 alone were mediated by the common functional LPS receptor for dispersed form in both macrophages and B-lymphocytes, but activation of macrophages by the complex was mediated either by another LPS receptor not present in B-lymphocytes or through the phagocytic function of macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1992

Activation of the complement system by (1----3)-beta-D-glucans having different degrees of branching and different ultrastructures.

Activation of the alternative (APC) and classical (CPC) pathways of complement by fungal (1----3)-beta-D-glucans having different degrees of branching (DB) and different conformations were examined by using human serum and plasma. The glucans used in this study were curdlan (no branch; 0/1), grifolan (one branch in every third main chain unit; 1/3), schizophyllan (1/3), SSG (1/2), and OL-2(2/3). Triple or single helix conformer of these glucans were prepared by heating at 150 degrees C or dissolution in sodium hydroxide. Activation of APC by these glucans were dependent on incubation time, concentration, molecular weight, and DB. Interestingly, the triple helix conformer of all glucans tested activated APC stronger than a single helix one. The activity of branched glucans in plasma was weaker than those in serum. On the other hand, in the case of CPC, a single helix conformer activated CPC stronger than a triple helix one, and the activity was dependent on DB. Activation of CPC by a single helix conformer was thought to be dependent on the binding of beta-glucan to immunoglobulin in serum, because the complex was clearly detected by gel permeation chromatography only in the case of single helix one. From these results, it appears that the different conformers were recognized by the host complement systems in different ways. (1----3)-beta-D-Glucan is one of the major constituents of fungal cell wall and is thought to be clearly recognized by the host immune systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1992

Tissue distribution of intraperitoneally administered (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (SSG), a highly branched antitumor glucan, in mice.

Distribution of metabolically 3H-labeled (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan (3H-SSG) obtained from the culture filtrate of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395, in various tissues after intraperitoneal administration into ICR mice (250 micrograms/mouse) was examined. 3H-SSG was mainly detected in liver, spleen, and blood, and a negligible amount was excreted into the feces and excrement within 2 d. The significant amount of 3H-SSG remained in liver and spleen after 1 month. On the other hand, SSG was not incorporated effectively in vivo and in vitro by peritoneal exudate macrophages (0.5 microgram/1 x 10(6) M phi) Similarly in vivo, the majority of 3H-SSG distributed in spleen and liver were recovered from the non-cellular fraction and not from splenic macrophage and Kupffer cell fractions. These results suggested that (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans would not be easily incorporated by the host cells to degrade and exclude from the body even after the onset of the biological response modifier activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Solubilization of limulus test reactive material(s) from Candida cells by murine phagocytes.

Solubilization of limulus test reactive materials from Candida was examined in the presence or absence of phagocytic cells. Solubilized limulus test reactive materials (LTRM) were detected in culture supernatant, and hot water and sodium hydroxide extracts of the acetone dried cells of Candida parapsilosis. Suspensions of Candida cells also reacted with limulus test, and LTRM were released from the acetone dried cells by serum treatment. After treatment of the acetone dried cells with polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) or macrophages (M phi), a significant amount of LTRM was solubilized. Significant amounts of LTRM were also released by PMN during treatment of live and growing C. parapsilosis. The reactivity of LTRM was completely inhibited by the addition of excess amount of purified (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, suggesting LTRM from Candida cells as described above would contain (1----3)-beta-D-glucan. These results suggested that LTRM during fungal infection would come from the extracellular water soluble polysaccharide fraction as well as the insoluble cell wall fraction solubilized by the action of phagocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Intravenously administered (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, SSG, obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 augments murine peritoneal macrophage functions in vivo.

Effect of intravenously (i.v.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, SSG, obtained from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 on the murine peritoneal macrophage (PM) functions were examined. A single i.v. administration of SSG increased the number of PMs at a dose of 250 micrograms/mouse, and the peak appeared 4 d after administration. However, no special change was observed on peritoneal exude cell (PEC) populations. These PMs showed augmented lysosomal enzyme activity and the peaks appeared in 2 phases, on days 2 and 10. In contrast, SSG administered i.p. (250 micrograms/mouse) increased the number of PMs and enhanced the lysosomal enzyme activity of PMs from day 4, and a broad peak appeared until days 8--12. The populations of PECs were also changed by i.p. injection of SSG. Additionally, SSG administered i.v. enhanced phagocytic activity, H2O2 production and interleukin 1 (IL-1) production, and the kinetics of the activation differed depending on the activities. These data suggest that the effects of SSG on macrophage functions are different depending on administration routes, and there are some different mechanisms in the activation of macrophages in vivo by SSG.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1992

Physicochemical characteristics and antitumor activities of a highly branched fungal (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, OL-2, isolated from Omphalia lapidescens.

Physicochemical properties and antitumor activities of a fungal (1----3)-beta-D-glucan, OL-2, isolated from Leiwan (Omphalia lapidescens) were examined. OL-2 showed sharp signals on carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum in dimethylsulfoxide-d6 as a solvent, and these signals were significantly reduced by the addition of distilled water to the concentration of 20%. This phenomenon is consistent with the general property of the gel forming (1----3)-beta-D-glucan. Binding of OL-2 to Congo red induced a significant change of lambda max to a longer wavelength, and the concentration to induce gel to sol transition was about 0.7 N; in contrast, the concentration was about 0.2 N in the cases of SPG and curdlan. These observations suggested that the gel structure would be significantly stabilized in the case of OL-2. OL-2 showed no or low antitumor activity against the solid form of Sarcoma 180 by intraperitoneal and intralesional administrations; however, it was effective on the ascites form of Sarcoma 180. Of interest, OL-2 also showed significant antitumor activity against the ascites form of MH-134 when administered with 5-fluorouracil. These results indicated that OL-2 showed characteristic features regarding its physicochemical properties and antitumor activity.

Agaricales↗
PubMed1992

Heat induced conformational changes generate mitogenicity to splenocytes by sclerogen from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395.

The fungal mitogen, sclerogen, obtained from sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum IFO 9395 showed significant mitogenic activity to murine splenocytes after heat denaturation in relation to polymerization. To evaluate the conditions generating mitogenicity, we performed several chromatographic and spectral analyses. After heat denaturation of sclerogen, significant reduction of intrinsic fluorescence, significant changes on the ultraviolet absorption spectrum, significant changes on the circular dichroism spectrum, and an extreme change of the surface charge to anionic, were observed. These results strongly suggested that local as well as overall conformational changes of sclerogen associated with a high molecular mass and polyanionic charges are important in generating mitogenicity to murine splenocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Structure and antitumor activity of the less-branched derivatives of an alkali-soluble glucan isolated from Omphalia lapidescens. (Studies on fungal polysaccharide. XXXVIII).

The structure and antitumor activity of Smith-type degradation products (OL-2-I, OL-2-II and OL-2-III) of an alkali-soluble glucan, OL-2, isolated from a crude fungal drug "Leiwan" (Omphalia lapidescens) were investigated. Methylation analysis suggested that OL-2-I was a (1----3)-beta-D-glucan with approximately one branch at every three main chain glucosyl units at each C-6 position; OL-2-II was a (1----3)-beta-D-glucan with approximately one branch at twenty four main chain glucosyl units at each C-6 position (number of all main chain glucosyl units is on average). OL-2-I, OL-2-II and OL-2-III which were Smith-type degradation products of OL-2, showed potent antitumor activity against the solid form of sarcoma 180 in ICR mice. These results indicated that the degree of beta-linked branching at position 6 was remarkably related to the antitumor activity.

Agaricales↗