Showing papers by "Kumamoto University published in 1974"

Transport of ACTH Across Human Placenta

Abstract: The concentration of ACTH in maternal antecubital venous plasma before, during and after labor and in cord plasma of newborn infants at the time of delivery were measured by radioimmunoassay, and analyzed statistically. In 7 healthy women in the 10th month of pregnancy the concentrations of plasma ACTH just before delivery were statistically higher than the levels found before the onset of labor (p < 0.001). The fetal plasma ACTH concentration was much higher than the maternal level. The difference between the maternal and fetal ACTH concentrations was statistically significant (p < 0.005). No ACTH was detected in the cord plasma of two anencephalic infants. Moreover, after ACTH infusion into 4 healthy women during labor the concentrations of ACTH in their plasma increased to about 2.2 to 10.4 times the control values, while the concentrations in the cord plasma of their newborn infants decreaseed significantly. The difference between the ACTH concentrations in infants delivered from normal women...

Studies on the formation of a permeable cell membrane junction. II. Evolving junctional conductance and junctional insulation.

Abstract: Coupling by permeable membrane junction between single pairs of newt embryo cells (macroblastomeres) was inducedin vitro. At the same time, the resistance of the developing cell-to-cell diffusion channels (junctional membrane) and that of their insulation from the exterior (junctional insulation) were determined by electrical measurement. From the moment the cell coupling was first detected electrically, the resistance of junctional membrane fell gradually to a relatively steady level during 0.5–1 hr. Meanwhile, the resistance of junctional insulation rose gradually to a peak, then declined somewhat to a relatively steady level. An upper limit for the steady-level resistivity of junctional membrane was estimated from measurements on partly separated cells coupled by 3–4 strands of 1 μ2 cross-section; this estimate is 10−2 Ω cm2, 6 orders of magnitude less than the resistivity of nonjunctional membrane. Viewed in the light of a model proposed earlier (W. R. Loewenstein, 1966), these results suggest that junctional coupling may develop by accretion of diffusion-channel units of ≦10−2 Ω cm2 resistivity.

Ultrastructure of capillary plaque-like degeneration in senile dementia. Mechanism of amyloid production.

Abstract: By electron microscopy cerebral cortex taken post portem from a case of senile dementia was examined especially with regard to “Drusige Entartung der Hirnarterien” (Scholz, 1938).

Studies on the mechanisms of invasion in cancer. III. Purification of a neutral protease of rat ascites hepatoma cell associated with production of chemotactic factor for cancer cells

Abstract: A neutral protease was extracted from rat ascites hepatoma cells and effectively purified by fractionation with ammonium sulfate followed by chromatography using TEAE-cellulose and hydroxylapatite in that order. The protease eluted in 120 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) on hydroxylapatite, on experimental injection, produced locally a factor chemotactic for cancer cells and induced an extravascular emigration of circulating tumor cells followed by a formation of metastatic secondary tumors. It was SH-independent or metal-independent. The separation of the protease from nucleic acid was performed by disc electrophoresis. By contrast, another neutral protease, alkaline protease and acid protease from the same cells were negative in causing an extravascular emigration of circulating tumor cells. Etude des Mecanismes D'Envahissement Cancereux. III. Purification D'Une Protease Neutre de Cellules D'Hepatome Ascitique de Rat Associee a la Production D'Un Facteur Chimiotactique Pour les Cellules Cancereuses Une protease neutre a ete extraite de cellules d'hepatome ascitique de rat et purifiee par fractionnement avec du sulfate d'ammonium puis par chromatographie au moyen de TEAE-cellulose et d'hydroxylapatite. La protease eluee en tampon phosphate (120 mM, pH 6.8) sur hydroxylapatite produisait localement, lors de l'injection experimentale, un facteur chimiotactique pour les cellules cancereuses et provoquait une emigration extravasculaire des cellules tumorales circulantes suivie de la formation de tumeurs secondaires metastatiques. Elle etait SH-independante ou metal-independante. La separation de la protease de l'acide nucleique a ete obtenue par electrophorese en gel d'acrylamide. Par contre, une autre protease neutre, la protease alcaline et la protease acide des měmes cellules, ne provoquaient pas d'emigration extra-vasculaire des cellules tumorales circulantes.

Evaluation of Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen with various human cell lines.

Abstract: Critical evaluation of the anti-complement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test for Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) in known EBV-associated cell lines was carried out. The ACIF procedure, in which the cell smears were thoroughly air-dried and fixed with carbon tetrachloride (for 15 min at room temperature), provided reproducible staining results with minimum variations. The fixed smears could be stored for at least 5 weeks at −8° C without loss of reactivity. On the basis of the above evaluation, a total of 59 human cell lines, which had unknown or uncertain association with EBV, were examined for the presence or absence of EBNA by the ACIF procedure. All of the cell lines tested could be judged positive or negative for EBNA. All of 21 lines growing as monolayer or in a mixed state of monolayer and suspension, were negative. Of 38 lines grown in suspension, 36 lymphoblastoid lines were positive but the remaining 2 lines (seemingly not lymphoblastoid) were negative.

Observation of tongue movements employing magnetometer sensor

Abstract: This paper introduces a new application of magnetometers employing the magnetic core to monitoring the motion of the tongue in speech. The monitoring system consists of two magnetometers and a small permanent magnetic rod which is fixed on the tongue surface. The basic principle for measuring makes use of the output changes induced in the magnetometers due to the changes of the distance between the magnetometers and the rod which moves together with the tongue. Repeated experiments have led us to the conclusion that this magnetic method is a powerful technique for speech physiology research because of its simplicity, safety, economy, and flexibility for signal presentation.

Chemical and biological characterization of succinyl neocarzinostatin.

Abstract: The proteinous antibiotic neocarzinostatin was succinylated using succinic anhydride, and two bis-succinyl compounds, neocarzinostatin derivatives (SUC-I and SUC-II), were obtained. The biological and chemical properties of SUC-I and SUC-II were investigated after separation by column chromatography. The only free amino groups in neocarzi-nostatin were succinylated completely in both derivatives. Amino terminal analysis, electrophoretic mobility and amino acid analysis were the same for both derivatives. However, only SUC-II was biologically active when assayed on three human cell lines and Sarcina lutea. Analysis by UV spectroscopy and circular dichroism indicated a difference in the molecular conformation, perhaps a slightly losened structure in SUC-I as compared with SUC-II. These isologous derivatives with different biological and optical activity have also been observed in neocarzinostatin. SUC-I seems to be a counterpart of "pre-NCS", an inactive form of NCS. SUC-II differs from NCS in being completely devoid of cytolytic and cytocidal activity. The retention of biological activity in bis-N-succinyl neocarzinostatin, in which all amino groups are bolocked, indicates that in NCS free amino groups are not essential for activity.

Inhibition by testosterone of immune reactivity and of lymphoid regeneration in irradiated and marrow reconstituted mice.

Abstract: Nachweis, dass die Behandlung letal bestrahlter und mit isologem Knochenmark regenerierter Mause mit Testosteron zu starker Herabsetzung der immunologischen Reaktivitat und zu eindeutiger Reduktion des lymphatischen Gewebes fuhrt.

Four New Species of Galatheidean Crustacea from New Zealand Waters

Abstract: A collection of Crustacea Galatheidea made by the Japanese Fisheries Research Vessel “Kaiyo Maru” off the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand, contains four new species described here: Gastroptychus novaezelandiae sp. nov., Uroptychus tomentosus sp. nov., Munida chathamensis sp. nov., and Munidopsis kaiyoae sp. nov.

Studies on the mechanisms of invasion in cancer. IV. A factor associated with release of neutral protease of tumor cell.

Abstract: A substance capable of releasing a certain neutral protease from rat ascites hepatoma cells was extracted from tumor tissues and partially purified. The substance, which was assumed to be a thermostable peptide, was characterized by prompt action and noncytotoxicity. Intradermal injection of the released neutral protease induced extravascular migration of circulating tumor cells and formation of metastases. No protease could be released from normal hepatic cells. These observations suggested that the released neutral protease might be involved in malignant invasion through production of postulated cancer-cell-chemotactic factor. Such a substance was, however, difficult to demonstrate in normal skin. Different factors associated with the release of another neutral protease and an alkaline protease were also found. However, these proteases did not provoke invasion of tumor cells after intradermal injection.

Late changes in sciatic nerve of rats after a small dose of methyl methylmercury sulfide.

Abstract: Wistar strain of male rats of 100–110 g were used, 5 for an experimental and 5 for control group. 1 mg of organic mercury (methyl methylmercuric sulfide: CH3HgSCH3) was given by mouth each day for 10 days (total dose 9–10 mg) to the experimental group. 600 days afterwards the experimental and control rats were killed.

The effects of ambient and hypothalamic temperatures on the hyperthermic responses to prostaglandins E1 and E2.

Abstract: The effects of ambient and hypothalamic temperatures were studied on the hyperthermic responses to prostaglandins E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2) injected intraventricularly in the unanesthetized rabbit. Hyperthermic responses to PGE1 observed at different thermal environments were approximately equal in magnitude and time course. However, the prevailing ambient temperature influenced the thermoregulatory mechanisms by which the hyperthermia was achieved. In a hot environment, PGE1-hyperthermia was brought about by suppression of heat loss mechanism with little change in heat production. During cold exposure body temperature was raised mainly by an increase in heat production without a significant change in heat loss. PGEs-hyperthermias were attenuated by warming and enhanced by cooling the anterior hypothalamus. These changes in the hyperthermic responses to PGE1 and PGE2 are in contrast to those obtained with intraventricular injection of noradrenaline at different ambient temperatures and during hypothalamic heating and cooling. It is therefore unlikely that noradrenaline is involved in the hyperthermic responses to PGEs. On the other hand, the results support the view that prostaglandins may be mediators of pyrogen-induced fever.

Mitotic activity and cell proliferation in primary induction of newt embryo

Abstract: Mitotic activity and cell proliferation of newt (Triturus pyrrhogaster) embryo were examined with special reference to primary induction. Mitotic activity of gastrula ectoderm gradually decreases during gastrulation. The ectoderm, which is isolated from mid-gastrula (stage 12b) and cultured in vitro, also shows gradual decrease in mitotic activity during cultivation and the mitotic activity steeply decreases after 48 hr. The ectoderm cultured with heterologous inductor (GPL-extract) shows a temporal suppression in mitotic activity. The ectoderm of the whole gastrula also shows a regional suppression where it is in contact with the chorda-mesoderm. The number of the ectodermal cells increases about 2 times after 24 hr culture and to more than 3 times after 48 hr culture. Accordingly it is certain that the majority of the ectodermal cells divides at least one time in the course of 48 hr. Histological examination of the ectoderm cultured together with the inductor reveals that differentiation of undifferentiated ectoderm to neural tissues is accomplished at least within 48 hr after cultivation with the inductor. The present examination shows the possibility that the mitotic activity of the ectoderm may be temporarily suppressed by the inductor and that it then decreases along with neural cell differentiation after recovery of the activity. The results also suggest that the determination of undifferentiated ectoderm to neural tissues occurs before the second cell division after the contact with the inductor and the events occurring during the first cell cycle after activating by the inducing stimulus are critical for the primary induction.

Lack of Recovery from Radiation Damage on Colony Forming Ability and on Membrane Charge in a Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Line

Abstract: *佐 藤 周子:愛 知県 がんセ ンター研究所放射線部 ,名 古屋市千種区田代町 〒464 ** 小 島清秀:愛知県がんセンター研究所 生物部 ***松 沢 大樹:東 北大学抗酸菌病研究所 ,放 射線部,仙 台市広瀬 町4-12 〒980 ****西 連寺 剛,日沼頼夫:熊 本大学医学部微生物学教室 ,熊 本市本荘2-2-1〒860 A Burkitt lymphoma cell line, P3HR-1, was found to be very radiaosensitive (n=1, D0=67R) and showed no substantial recovery by dose-fractionation. Measuremant of electrophoretic mobility of whole cells and isolated nuclei after irradiation demonstrated that the loss of negative charge on the membrane was irreversible in this cell line. Analysis of frequency distribution pattern of electrophoretic mobility indicated a good correlation between the loss of colony forming ability and the irreversible loss of membrane charge. The surface saccharides responsible for electrokinetic behavior of the P3HR-1 cells mainly consisted of sialic acid and chondroitine sulfate, but not of hyaluronic acid. The mobility reduction by the removal of these saccharides was reversible and did not result in cell death.

Retardation of spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion after ligature of lymphatics draining the testes of rabbits.

Abstract: Histological changes in the testis, prostate, seminal vesicle and hypophysis of male rabbits were examined after ligature of the spermatic lymphatics. Testosterone in blood plasma of the spermatic veins of animals with and without ligature and/or with and without HCG treatment was simultaneously measured.The histological picture of the.seminiferous epithelium of the testis was inherent in the spermatogonial stage 10 days after ligature. Subsequent regeneration of the germinal epithelium varied in degree from case to case with the advancing interval, but it was conspicuous within 30 days. There was no longer sign of retrogression of the germinal epithelium 90 days after ligature. The prostate epithelium showed a slight reduction in height 10 days after ligature, but quickly returned to its normal height and picture within 30 days. The seminal vesicle and hypophysis did not seem to be influenced morphologically by the ligation of the lymphatics. Testosterone content of the spermatic vein fell abruptly after the ligation of the lymphatics, being continued for as long as 90 days.Testosterone content increased rapidly after injection of HCG into animals with and without ligature.It is suggested from the present results that the regeneration of the germinal epithelium of the testis after obstruction of the spermatic lymphatics may depend on the formation of a collateral lymphatic circulation and that the Leydig cells are functionally supressed by lymph congestion within the testis.

Reaction of aromatic N-oxides with dipolarophiles. I. Reaction products of 3-picoline 1-oxide with phenyl isocyanate.

Abstract: The reaction of 3-picoline 1-oxide (VI) with phenyl isocyanate (I) in dimethylformamide at 110° gave the cycloadducts VII and VIII in 33.7 and 24.1% yield, respectively. The reaction at 150° gave 2-anilino-3-methylpyridine (IX) and 2-anilino-5-methylpyridine (X), along with a small amount of VII. Hydrolysis of VII and VIII in alcoholic potassium hydroxide affords IX and X, respectively. The structures of VII and VIII were discussed in the light of spectroscopic data. IX and X were identified by comparison with the authentic samples prepared by an alternative route.

Dehydro-para-asebotin, a New Chalcone Glucoside in the Flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. DON

Abstract: Besides luteolin 4'-D-glucoside (I) and luteolin (II), a chalcone glycoside (III), C22H24O10·1 1/2 H2O, mp 199-200°, [α]30D-85.2°(methanol), ultraviolet spectrum (UV) λEtOHmax 368 nm, was isolated from the flowers of Gnaphalium affine D. DON. III was acid hydrolyzed to give glucose and a flavanone (V), mp 256°, UV λEtOHmax 228, 284 nm, which was identified as 4', 7-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavanone by chemical and spectral data and by direct comparison of the diethyl ether (VIII) with an authentic sample. The sample, 4', 7-diethoxy-5-methoxyflavanone (VIII) was prepared, according to the result of a preliminary experiment (Table I), by stepwise alkylations of naringenin (IX) with an ether solution of diazoethane in absolute methanol for 3 hr and then with diazomethane in 70% methanol for 24 hr. Further examination of the methanolysis products of III permethylate (XV) and the spectral data of XV evidenced that III is 4'-O-β-D-glucopermethylate of 2', 4, 4'-trihydroxy-6'-methoxychalcone (dehydro-para-asebotin), from which V is yielded on acid treatment. This is the first isolation of III and V from natural sources.