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S Taguchi

Publications and source records attributed to S Taguchi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Retrograde neuronal labeling of motoneurons in the rat by fluorescent tracers, and quantitative analysis of oxidative enzyme activity in labeled neurons.

Extensor digitorum longus motoneurons in the rat spinal cord were identified by retrograde labeling with two fluorescent tracers, Fast blue (FB) and Nuclear yellow (NY). Labeled motoneurons had a blue fluorescent cytoplasm at 360 nm excitation wavelength with FB, and a golden-yellow fluorescent nucleus with NY on the cryostat section. Labeled motoneurons were further examined for succinate dehydrogenase activity on the same section used for identification of the motoneurons. This study demonstrates that fluorescent dyes are useful for neuroanatomical studies by the retrograde axonal transport method, and that quantitative analysis of metabolic activity in labeled motoneurons is also possible.

Amidines↗

Relationship between utilization of dual translational initiation signals and protein processing in Streptomyces.

Two sets of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the initiation codon (ATG) for translation of a gene encoding the protein SSI (Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor) were studied in vivo by site-directed mutagenesis. The result shows that each ATG can function as an initiator of translation in either Streptomyces lividans 66 or Escherichia coli. The choice of initiation codon seems dependent on the host strain and is closely related to the processing mechanism of pre-SSI protein. The upstream ATG is presumed to be utilized preferentially giving two cleavage sites in pre-SSI in S. albogriseolus S-3253, the original SSI producer strain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of body suspension on soleus muscle fibres and spinal motoneurones in the rat.

1. After 14 days of body suspension, fibre type composition and fibre cross-sectional area in the soleus muscle of 17-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. Oxidative enzyme activity of soleus motoneurones in the spinal cord was also examined. 2. After suspension, soleus muscle weight decreased by 44.2%, the cross-sectional area of SO and FOG fibres decreased by 60.4% and 58.6%, respectively. 3. The percentage of fibre types was not changed by suspension. However, ATPase activity after alkaline preincubation was markedly inhibited in FOG fibres. 4. Oxidative enzyme activity of soleus motoneurones was not changed by suspension. 5. This study demonstrates that using mature animals body suspension induces atrophy of fast- and slow-twitch fibres accompanied with the selective inhibition in ATPase activity of fast-twitch fibres, and without changes in histochemical profiles of the corresponding motoneurones.

Animals↗

Glycemic response and fiber content of some foods.

The proposed mechanisms for the action of dietary fiber (DF) on the glycemic response suggest a nonlinear relationship between glycemic index (GI) and DF content. This relationship was analyzed by using the newly reported total DF (TDF) values, assuming a nonlinear regression curve. The empirical equation obtained was Y = 19.9X-0.322. Similar regression curves were also obtained for soluble DF (SDF) and insoluble DF (IDF). The two regression curves indicated that the correlation coefficient between observed GI and GI calculated from the IDF regression curve (-0.781) was virtually identical to that for SDF (-0.780), but a given content (eg, 5% vs available carbohydrate) of SDF gave a lower GI (39) than did IDF (48). This stronger dependency of GI on SDF suggests a major function of SDF in the TDF hypoglycemic effect. From the regression curve of GI vs TDF, we propose a supplemental GI to predict the glycemic response to foods with no published GI.

Blood Glucose↗

Histochemical differentiation of fibers in the rat slow and fast twitch muscles.

Wistar male rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 days, and at 5 and 10 weeks of age. The histochemical differentiation of slow twitch soleus and fast twitch plantaris muscle fibers was examined from the enzyme activities of adenosine triphosphatase (slow- or fast-contracting), succinate dehydrogenase (high- or low-oxidative), and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (high- or low-glycolytic). The soleus muscle fibers differentiated into slow-contracting (S) and fast-contracting (F) fibers at 7 days of age. In the plantaris muscle, differentiation into S and F fibers in the deep portion occurred earlier (9 days) than in the superficial portion (11 days). Thereafter, fiber type shifts between S and F were observed in both muscles. Differentiation into fast-contracting oxidative glycolytic (FOG), fast-contracting glycolytic (FG), and slow-contracting oxidative (SO) fibers occurred in both muscles at 15 and 17 days of age. After subdivision into the three fiber types, a type shift from FOG to FG was observed in both the deep and superficial portions of the plantaris muscle.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

[The effectiveness of CDDP in metastatic adenocarcinoma with unknown origin].

A 28-year-old man with inoperable metastatic adenocarcinoma in the retroperitoneum was referred to our hospital for a further evaluation for its origin. The tumor was measured 80 x 107 mm by abd. U.S. and showed papillary adenocarcinoma, histologically. Chemotherapy with intravenous administration of CDDP at the dose of 80 mg/m2 for 6 times at 2-3 week intervals was started, and CDDP concentration of binding-form and free-form in serum and urine were measured in time course. The tumor has reduced for 29 weeks after the discontinuance of CDDP. Free-CDDP, which was thought to have an anticancerous effect, immediately went up high levels in serum and rapidly excreted to urine, while total-CDDP in serum remained in high concentration for more than 10 weeks. Thus it was suggested that anticancerous effect of CDDP could not be contributed only to free-CDDP and the mechanism of CDDP will be clarified by the elucidation of metabolism of both free and total CDDP, especially in the tumor tissue.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparison of secretory expression in Escherichia coli and Streptomyces of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) gene.

To elucidate differences in the mechanism of gene expression between Streptomyces and Escherichia coli, the regulatory region for expression of the gene for a proteinaceous proteinase inhibitor, Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI), was altered to express efficiently in E. coli. This was carried out by inserting a pre-SSI-encoding region downstream of the tac promoter and ribosome-binding site in a multi-copy plasmid. When the resultant plasmid pMKSI161-9 was introduced into E. coli JM105, SSI protein was found to be expressed and secreted into the periplasmic space by Western blot analysis. When introduced into 'leaky' E. coli strains, this protein was detected in the medium as well as in the periplasmic space in bacteria. NH2-terminal sequencing analysis of the SSI purified from E. coli JM105 indicated two processing sites, Ala(-4)/Ala(-3)-Pro(-2)-Gly and Ala(-4)-Ala-3/Pro(-2)-Gly-1, of pre-SII. These sites were different from those in Streptomyces albogriseolus S-3253 and Streptomyces lividans 66. The inhibitor activity of the processed protein toward subtilisin BPN' was almost the same as that of authentic SSI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hypoxia-induced fibre type transformation in rat hindlimb muscles. Histochemical and electro-mechanical changes.

Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old) were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: sea level control (CONT) and hypobaric hypoxia (HYPO). The HYPO rats were kept in an hypobaric chamber maintaining a simulated altitude of 4000 m (61.1 kPa). After 10 weeks of treatment, the rat hindlimb muscles [soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL)] were subjected to histochemical and electro-mechanical analyses. Results indicated that compared to CONT the HYPO SOL muscle had a significantly greater relative distribution of fast-twitch-oxidative-glycolytic (FOG) fibres (28.9% SEM 2.0 vs 18.3% SEM 1.8, P less than 0.01) with a significant decrease in slow twitch oxidative fibre distribution (69.5% SEM 2.4 vs 82.9% SEM 3.1, P less than 0.01). Compared to CONT the HYPO EDL muscle also manifested a significant increase in FOG fibre distribution (51.6% SEM 0.8 vs 46.6% SEM 1.1, P less than 0.01), but this was accompanied by a significant decrease in fast twitch glucolytic fibres (44.3% SEM 0.9 vs 49.2% SEM 1.7, P less than 0.05). These histochemical fibre type transformations accompanied significant and expected changes in the electro-mechanical parameters tested in situ, e.g. maximal twitch force, maximal rate of force development, contraction time, half relaxation time, force: frequency curve, and fatigability. It was concluded that chronic hypobaric hypoxia could have a potent influence upon the phenotype expression of muscle fibres.

Animals↗

Effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the oxidative capacity of the extensor digitorum longus motor units in the rat.

The fiber number, fiber type distribution, and succinate dehydrogenase activity were investigated from the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle of male rats exposed to 7 weeks of hypobaric hypoxia. The oxidative metabolic capacity of the motoneurons in the extensor digitorum longus neuron pool was also determined from quantitative histochemical analyses. The fiber number and oxidative enzyme activity of the muscle were not changed by hypoxia. An increase in the percentage of fast-twitch oxidative (FO) fibers and a concomitant decrease in the percentage of fast-twitch (F) fibers were observed in the hypoxic muscle. On the other hand, the oxidative capacity of small- to medium-sized alpha motoneurons (24-45 microns average soma diameter) was increased. The increase in the oxidative capacity of small- to medium-sized motoneurons and the type shift of muscle fibers from F (low-oxidative) to FO (high-oxidative) indicate that hypoxia enhances the oxidative capacity of particular motor units in the neuron pool.

Animals↗

Oxidative metabolism of the rat soleus neuron pool following hypobaric hypoxia.

After 7 weeks of hypoxic acclimation, oxidative enzyme (succinate dehydrogenase) activity of motoneurons in the rat soleus neuron pool was examined. Although the total oxidative metabolism of the neuron pool was not changed, the oxidative enzyme activity of small to medium sized (25-45 microns average soma diameter) alpha motoneurons was increased. These results indicate that hypoxia preferentially enhances the oxidative capacity of specific motoneurons in the neuron pool.

Animals↗

Duration patterns of percussion sound in healthy and periodontally affected teeth.

Ten periodontally affected subjects and 10 healthy subjects were selected in order to examine the duration patterns of percussion sounds in all upper teeth, excluding the 8's. Probing depth, loss of attachment, tooth mobility by 'Periotest', bone loss and percussion sound duration via occlusal sound analyser were recorded during the pretreatment period. The following results were obtained from the study: (i) the normal duration of percussion sounds ranged from 4.40-5.33 ms; (ii) percussion sound values of periodontal patients were of longer duration than those of healthy subjects; (iii) a close correlation between duration and other individual parameters was found in all upper teeth, with the exception of molars.

Acoustics↗

[Operative results of distal aortic arch aneurysms--approaching methods, bypass techniques and complications].

Ten patients underwent repair of aneurysms of the distal aortic arch from 1985 to 1989. There were 8 men and 2 women: aged 58 to 77 (average age 67 years). Seven patients had sacciform aneurysms which were closed by graft patch aortoplasty, and three patients had fusiform aneurysms which were corrected by inserting tube grafts. Seven aneurysms operated since 1988 were approached through median sternotomy continued with left anterior thoracotomy, so called door open method. This approach presented good view of the diseased aorta, and effective for preventing recurrent and phrenic nerve palsy. We used temporary bypass for 4 patients, cardiopulmonary bypass for 4 patients (separate carotid artery perfusion for 2 patients) and centrifugal pump for 2 patients during aortic cross clamping. One patient died intraoperatively from intractable bleeding and two patients died postoperatively from brain damage due to embolic episodes during the operations. These patients showed the severely irregular intima in the aortic arch and were complicated with rupture of the aneurysm or dissections arising from the aneurysms. It should be noticed that careless manipulation of the aortic arch and the brachiocephalic vessels cause cerebral complications in such cases.

Aged↗

Analysis of transcriptional control regions in the Streptomyces subtilisin-inhibitor-encoding gene.

A transcript, of about 650 nucleotides (nt), from the Streptomyces subtilisin-inhibitor-encoding gene (ssi) was identified by Northern hybridization analysis in both the original strain, S. albogriseolus S-3253, and the transformant, S. lividans 66, carrying an expression plasmid with the cloned ssi gene, pJS1. These results were quite consistent with the analysis of the major transcriptional start point (tsp; at nt 429) by primer extension experiments and the transcriptional end point (at nt 1065) by S1 nuclease mapping of the ssi gene. Deletion experiments on the 5'-flanking region of the major tsp suggested that two promoter sequences control the expression of ssi. The more proximal of these putative promoters appears to be homologous to the -45 to -25 region of the ctc promoter in Bacillus subtilis and includes a direct repeat in the -10 region.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Membrane filters for the concentration of trace elements in water: distribution of ion pairs between membrane filter and aqueous phases.

The sorption of ion pairs on membrane filters (MFs) has been studied by taking the membrane filter as one of the homogeneous phases. The sorbability of some ionic species and the sorption abilities of different types of MF were evaluated in terms of the sorption constant defined by Ksor,CA = [(C+,A-)f]/[C+][A-], where C+, A- and (C+,A-) refer to the cation, anion and the ion pair, respectively, and f refers to the filter phase. The values of Ksor,CA were determined for many combinations of ionic complexes of cobalt(III) with pyridylazophenols, either as cations or anions, and oppositely charged organic ions having different alkyl chain lengths, with MFs made of different materials: nitrocellulose (NC; Toyo Advantec), acetylcellulose (AC; Fuji Film), regenerated cellulose (RC; Toyo Advantec) and polyethersulphone (PS; Toyo Advantec). For a given cobalt complex ion, the value of log Ksor,CA increased linearly with the increasing number of carbons in the counter ion. Membrane filters made of different materials showed different sorption abilities, the order being NC greater than PS greater than RC greater than AC. It was shown that the surface area of the MF is of greater significance than the volume of the matrix of the MF in determining the sorption constant.

Elements↗

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence determination of gene encoding Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI).

A gene for Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) from Streptomyces albogriseolus S-3253 was cloned into E. coli plasmid pBR322 using two oligodeoxyribonucleotides corresponding to Asp68 to Pro77 and Asn99 to Gly107 of the protein, respectively. The SSI gene was localized on a 1.8-kbp BglII/SalI fragment. The nucleotide sequence of this 1.8-kbp fragment was determined by the dideoxy sequencing method. The amino acid sequence of the mature SSI coding region derived from the nucleotide sequence determination corresponded exactly to that from protein sequencing analysis. The nucleotide sequence analysis showed the presence of a putative signal peptide comprising 31 amino acids preceding the mature SSI region. The major transcriptional start point was identified to be 60 nucleotides upstream from the putative initiation codon for translation by the primer extension method. The -45 to -25 region upstream from transcriptional start point was quite homologous to that of CTC promoter of Bacillus subtilis. The overall G + C content of this 1.8-kbp fragment was 72%. On the other hand, an extremely high G + C content (96%) was found at the third letter of codons in the SSI coding region.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Relative influence of plaque control, scaling and root planing on occlusal sounds.

Nine periodontally affected subjects and eight healthy subjects were selected in order to examine the effect of initial periodontal treatment on occlusal sounds. Gingival Index, probing depth, tooth mobility and occlusal sound duration via an occlusal sound analyser were recorded at the baseline. The nine periodontal patients were then treated by plaque control, root planing with general scaling and were re-examined at 1 month and 3 months post-operatively. The following results were obtained: (i) The normal duration of an occlusal sound is less than 10 ms. (ii) Occlusal sounds of periodontal patients were of longer duration compared with values in healthy subjects, but decreased and approached the normal value after treatment.

Adult↗