Opsonic effect of congerin, a mucosal galectin of the Japanese conger, Conger myriaster (Brevoort).
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
O Nakamura
Publications and source records attributed to O Nakamura.
IgM secretion and absorption in the materno-fetal interface of a viviparous teleost, Neoditrema ransonneti (Perciformes; Embiotocidae).
We investigated maternal IgM secretion in the ovary and the absorption of IgM by fetuses in a viviparous fish, Neoditrema ransonneti (Embiotocidae). Serum IgM, whose molecular weight was approx. 820k, was purified by two steps of gel filtration chromatography. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that IgM was secreted from the epithelia of the ovigerous lamellae of pregnant females into ovarian cavity fluid. The IgM-secreting activity of ovigerous folds showed notable changes according to the reproductive stage. In fetuses, IgM was absorbed as macromolecules by enterocytes of the hypertrophied hindgut. IgM in the fetal blood was also demonstrated, although its concentration remained low during gestation. These findings suggest that IgM was transported from the maternal tissues to embryos via a unique pathway in N. ransonneti.
Animals↗
Early prediction of infection after craniotomy for brain tumours.
Reliably predicting infection soon after craniotomies would prevent infection and reduce treatment costs and hospitalization expenses. Therefore we analysed potential risk factors and blood count data after craniotomies for brain tumours in order to predict infection as soon as possible after surgery. We analysed 139 patients who underwent craniotomies for brain tumours from January 1997 to December 2001, and divided them into four categories (Types A to D) according to the following: increase in their white blood counts (WBCs) from Day 0 to Day 1, maximum WBC between Day 0 and Day 2, and maximum c-reactive protein (CRP) between Day 0 and Day 4 after surgery. We evaluated potential risk factors and the blood count data for infections via logistic regression analysis. Type D patients had a significantly higher rate of infection (p = 0.0123) than the other Types, while Type B patients had the lowest rate among the four groups (p = 0.0006). When Type A patients suffered CSF leakages, they had a significantly higher possibility of meningitis (p < 0.0001) or scalp infection (p = 0.012). In those Type A or D patients who were male, more than 70 years old, and suffered from metastases from primary lung cancer lesions, the possibility of pneumonia was significantly higher (p = 0.0178). In conclusion, we are able to predict infection within four days after craniotomies for brain tumours according to standard blood count data and certain risk factors. This possibility allows for improved care and better clinical outcomes in patients that undergo craniotomies for brain tumours.
Adolescent↗
GAFChromic film dosimetry with a flatbed color scanner for Leksell Gamma Knife therapy.
GAFChromic films MD-55-2 have recently been established widely in industrial, scientific, and medical applications as radiation dosimeters. We applied these films to the dosimetry for Leksell Gamma Knife therapy. We used a flatbed image scanner to take digital images of irradiated MD-55-2, and the data were converted to Red, Green and Blue pixel values. The absorbed dose, as derived from the response curve of the Red pixel value, was consistent with the Leksell Gamma Plan dose planning system, for exposures using collimator sizes, 4 mm, 8 mm, and 14 mm. However, the maximum dose in the exposure of the 18 mm collimator was measured to be about 5% smaller than Gamma Plan due to the density effect of the compound material in the head phantom.
Algorithms↗
Fractionation of normal and leukemic T-cells by lectin-affinity column chromatography.
A method for rapid fractionation of normal and leukemic T-cells (Jurkat, RPMI-8402, MOLT-4), using lectin-affinity column chromatography, is described. CNBr-activated Sepharose 6MB was used as a non-mobile phase. The gel was covalently conjugated with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) over 24 h. The normal cells were eluted by phosphate buffered saline (Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) free), while the leukemic T-cells, interacting with DBA, were removed by N-acetyl-D-galactosamine or by low-concentrated acetic acid as a mobile phase. The cell fractions were detected spectrophotometrically at 600 nm. The rate of cell elution decreased in the order: normal>leukemic T-cells. The viability and the type of separated T-cell fractions were characterized by flow cytometry, using adequate fluorescent antibodies. The interactions between leukemic T-cells and DBA-saturated Sepharose beads were examined by fluorescent microscopy, using fluorescent isothiocyanate-DBA as a fluorescent marker.
Antigens, CD↗
An implantable power supply with an optically rechargeable lithium battery.
A novel power supply for medical implants has been developed. A wireless near-infrared power transmission recharges a lithium secondary battery in the power supply. A photovoltaic cell array embedded under skin receives near-infrared light through the skin and charges the battery directly powering an implanted device. We have shown that, for a photodiode area of 2.1 cm2, 17 min of near-infrared irradiation at a 810-nm wavelength with a power density of 22 mW/cm2 can send enough energy to allow regular commercial cardiac pacemakers to run for 24 h. The temperature rise of the skin during the light irradiation was 1.4 degrees C.
Animals↗
A study of reproductive performance in pregnant, IL-2 receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic mice.
Relationships between female reproductive performance and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells were investigated in pregnant IL-2 receptor beta-chain overexpressed transgenic (Tg2Rbeta) mice. At 8 days of pregnancy, all fetuses were alive, suggesting that implantation normally occurred in these mice. However, 47% of fetuses were dead at 10 days of pregnancy and at 12 days all fetuses were resorbing, indicating that fetal loss progressed with the advance of pregnancy. The placenta of Tg2Rbeta mice gradually decreased in weight with the advance of pregnancy. At 10 days the placental labyrinth, decidua basalis, and metrial gland in Tg2Rbeta mice were poorly developed, and more uNK cells were found in Tg2Rbeta mice than in the control mice. We propose that Tg2RPbeta mice are the first and interesting model that uNK cells can cause abortion, to clarify the involvement of uNK cell function in female reproductive performance.
Animals↗
Three-dimensional coherent transfer function for reflection confocal microscopy in the presence of refractive-index mismatch.
The three-dimensional (3-D) coherent transfer function for reflection confocal microscopy of high-numerical-aperture objectives is derived and calculated in the presence of refractive-index mismatch when a laser beam is focused into a medium of refractive index different from its immersion medium. This aberrated coherent transfer function is then used to estimate the readout efficiency of 3-D data bits recorded in a thick medium. It is shown that the readout efficiency of confocal microscopy for 3-D bit data storage is decreased with the focal depth of an objective in a recording medium. However, a high readout efficiency can be maintained if the tube length of a reading objective is linearly altered to compensate for the spherical aberration caused by the refractive-index mismatch.
Microscopy, Confocal↗
Biological activities of the lectin, abrin-a, against human lymphocytes and cultured leukemic cell lines.
The cytoagglutination by abrin-a against human cultured cell lines derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and human peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from normal adults and from patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) was investigated. Among acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines, abrin-a showed strong cytoagglutination against relatively differentiated cell lines, such as Jurkat and CCRF-HSB-2. Among acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell lines, abrin-a strongly agglutinated an immature cell line, NALM6. In comparison with ALL cell lines, cytoagglutination by abrin-a against normal lymphocytes was weak. Abrin-a showed higher cytoagglutination against lymphocytes derived from ATL than lymphocytes derived from normal adults. In connection with the cytoagglutination, abrin-a-induced cytotoxicity against human cultured leukemic cell lines was evaluated. In proportion to the extent of cytoagglutination, abrin-a induced cytotoxicity in Jurkat, CCRF-HSB-2, MOLT-4, RPMI8402, and BALL-1 as well. Although CCRF-CEM and BALM-1 were both weakly agglutinated by abrin-a, these cell lines were very sensitive to the abrin-a-induced cytotoxicity. NALM6 was strongly agglutinated by abrin-a, but abrin-a exhibited less strong cytotoxicity against this cell line. These results suggest the feasible application of abrin-a as a tool to distinguish the human leukemic cells and its potential for clinical application.
Abrin↗
Interaction of the hemolytic lectin, CEL-III, with cultured human leukemic cell lines.
We studied interaction of CEL-III with cultured human leukemic cell lines and lymphocytes from normal adults by evaluating the extent of cytotoxicity and cytoagglutination. Among acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines, CEL-III displayed increased toxicity against different acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines as a function of increasing differentiation stage. In the case of acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cell lines, CEL-III showed strong cytotoxicity against relatively immature cell lines. We found that CEL-III was more toxic for ALL cell lines than leukocytes obtained from peripheral blood of healthy adults. Strong influence of the additional amount of calcium ion on the extent of cytotoxicity was observed. In addition, we describe a new way to evaluate the extent of cytoagglutination in "% of agglutinated cells". These findings make CEL-III a promising candidate in research for lectins which bind to and destroy only the targeted leukemic cells.
Adult↗
Complete amino acid sequences of three proteinase inhibitors from white sword bean (Canavalia gladiata).
Three major serine proteinase inhibitors (SBI-1, -2, and -3) were purified from the seeds of white sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) by FPLC and reversed-phase HPLC. The sequences of these inhibitors were established by automatic Edman degradation and TOF-mass spectrometry. SBI-1, -2, and -3 consisted of 72, 73, and 75 amino acid residues, with molecular masses of 7806.5, 7919.8, and 8163.4, respectively. The sequences of SBI-1 and -2 coincided with those of CLT I and II [Terada et al. (1994) Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 58, 376-379] except only N- or C-terminal amino acid residues. Analysis of the amino acid sequences showed that the active sites of the inhibitors contained a Lys21-Ser22 against trypsin and Leu48-Ser49 against chymotrypsin, respectively. Further, it became apparent that about seven disulfide bonds were present. These results suggest that sword bean inhibitors are members of the Bowman-Birk proteinase inhibitor family.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Fundamental of two-photon microscopy.
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Lasers↗
Effects of rat fetuin on stimulation of bone resorption in the presence of parathyroid hormone.
Rat fetuin, which is the rat counterpart of human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein and bovine fetuin, is only detectable in calcified tissues such as bone matrices and dentin, and bone cells such as osteoblasts and osteocytes immunohistochemically. The effect of this protein on bone resorption was examined to study its physiological role in bone metabolism. Rat fetuin increased bone resorption in the presence of low concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH), but it had no activity on bone resorption without PTH. The increase in bone resorption by PTH and PTH plus rat fetuin was inhibited by the addition of chymostatin, an inhibitor for cathepsin L. Moreover, we found that when type I collagen from rat was preincubated with rat fetuin, the digestion of rat type I collagen by cathepsin L was increased. These findings suggest that rat fetuin present in bone matrix is important in bone resorption.
Animals↗
Changes with age of the rat fetuin concentration in serum and its mRNA expression.
Rat fetuin, a counterpart of human alpha2-HS glycoprotein and bovine fetuin, shows strong intermolecular binding and association with other serum proteins. Therefore, to measure its concentration in rat serum, we pretreated serum samples with 1% SDS plus 5% (ca. 0.7 M) 2-mercaptoethanol at 100 degrees C for 3 min, and then subjected them to SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions followed by Western blotting. We found that the fetuin concentrations in normal rat serum determined by Western blotting were 2.5-4.5 mg/ml. These concentrations were three orders of magnitude higher than the previously reported concentrations. We also tried to measure the fetuin concentration in rat serum by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after treatment of the samples with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) plus 10 mM 2-mercaptoethylamine at 100 degrees C for 3 min, but it gave a value of about 1/4 of that on Western blotting. Rat fetuin is expressed mainly in the liver, with a peak 2-4 weeks after birth, as determined by Northern blot analysis. The fetuin mRNA level in the liver changes almost in parallel with its serum concentration. The tibia also expresses fetuin, but much less than the liver.
Aging↗
[Indocyanine green video angiographic findings of frosted branch angitis in a child].
A 10-year-old boy presented with typical fundus findings of frosted branch angitis in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography showed late-phase hyperfluorescence in some active areas of vascular lesions. Indo-cyanine green (ICG) angiography showed similar but less extensive hyperfluorescence along the frosted vessels and in the disc. ICG angiography also showed filling delay in the choriocapillaris. These findings suggest that frosted branch angitis is a manifestation of inflammation in the retina and the choroid. Laboratory studies showed increase in the toxoplasma titer at 1:10,240 and in the serum levels of alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulin. Frosted branch angitis in this case seemed to be the consequence of local allergic reaction, or immune complex deposition, presumably due to toxoplasma infections.
Child↗
Effect of phosphorylated rat fetuin on the growth of hepatocytes in primary culture in the presence of human hepatocyte-growth factor. Evidence that phosphorylated fetuin is a natural modulator of hepatocyte-growth factor.
Rat fetuin, a counterpart of human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein and bovine fetuin, that is synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes is mostly phosphorylated, though rat fetuin isolated from bone matrix does not contain phosphorus. A rat 63-kDa phosphorylated N-glycoprotein (pp63) is the phosphorylated form of rat fetuin and pp63 has been shown to inhibit insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Therefore, we examined the effect of phosphorylated rat fetuin (phosphofetuin) on DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes in culture in the presence of human hepatocyte-growth factor (HGF), since the human receptor of HGF, c-Met, is known to contain a tyrosine-kinase domain in its intracellular domain. We found that phosphofetuin from conditioned medium of rat-hepatocyte cultures dose-dependently decreased HGF-stimulated DNA synthesis in hepatocytes, whereas addition of non-phosphorylated rat fetuin had no effect. Addition of anti-(rat fetuin) Ig to the culture medium increased HGF-stimulated DNA synthesis by hepatocytes. Immunoprecipitation and cross-linking experiments showed that phosphofetuin bound to human HGF. We found that phosphofetuin interfered with binding of HGF to its specific receptor(s). These observations suggest that phosphofetuin synthesized by hepatocytes may be a natural modulator of HGF as a chalone, and that regulation of expression of phosphofetuin by growth factors and cytokines may be involved in liver regeneration under inflammatory conditions, such as in hepatitis.
Animals↗
New polyhydroxylated steroidal saponins from the tubers of Brodiaea californica.
New polyhydroxylated steroidal saponins (1, 2) were isolated from the tubers of Brodiaea californica. The structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. The bisdesmosidic saponin (2) is unique in structure, and is the first representative of a steroidal saponin bearing 6-deoxy-D-gulopyranose among both the steroidal and triterpene saponins reported up to the present.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Role of type X collagen on experimental mineralization of eggshell membranes.
Type X collagen is a transient and developmentally regulated collagen that has been postulated to be involved in controlling the later stages of endochondral bone formation. However, the role of this collagen in these events is not yet known. In order to understand the function of type X collagen, if any, in the process of biomineralization, the properties of type X collagen in eggshell membranes were further investigated. Specifically, calvaria-derived osteogenic cells were tested for their ability to mineralize eggshell membranes in vitro. Immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies was used to correlate the presence or absence of type X collagen or its propeptide domains with the ability of shell membranes to be mineralized. The extent of mineralization was assessed by Von Kossa staining, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The results indicate that the non-helical domains of type X collagen must be removed to facilitate the cell-mediated mineralization of eggshell membranes. In this tissue, intact type X collagen does not appear to stimulate or support cell-mediated mineralization. We postulate that the non-helical domains of type X collagen function in vivo to inhibit mineralization and thereby establish boundaries which are protected from mineral deposition.
Amino Acid Sequence↗