Showing papers by "Kumamoto University published in 1975"
TL;DR: In this article, an improved analytical treatment is developed which makes possible the satisfactory prediction of the liquid velocity distribution in two-phase bubble flow, and the agreement between the measured velocity profiles and those calculated is quite close especially in the core region of a duct.
530 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that different strains of EBV may induce transformed cells with different characteristics, and the most striking differences lay in their capacity to produce infectious virus and in the shape of the cell‐clumps.
Abstract: Variation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in respect to its effect on the properties of transformed cells was probed. Human umbilical cord leukocytes from six different individuals were transformed in vitro by either B95-8 (B) or QIMR-WIL (Q) strains of EBV and subsequently 12 lymphoblastoid cell lines (six B-derived and six Q-derived lines) were established. The B lines and Q lines were different in the expression of EBV genome i.e. production of virus or viral antigens, and in other properties including growth pattern and immunoglobulin production. The most striking differences between the two groups lay in their capacity to produce infectious virus and in the shape of the cell-clumps. The results suggest that different strains of EBV may induce transformed cells with different characteristics.
71 citations
TL;DR: It is reported here that the umbilical cords of the inhabitants of Minamata seem to reflect a chronological transition in methylmercury pollution but no corresponding shift in selenium levels.
Abstract: IT has been established that selenium exerts a protective effect against the toxicity of methylmercury1–5. A study on higher marine mammals suggested that the antagonism between selenium and mercury may result in a marked accumulation of both elements in the organs of the animals6, and a similar observation has been made in the laboratory7. In retrospect, this beneficial mechanism was operative, though incompletely, during the period when a wide area around the city of Minamata was polluted with methylmercury discharged from a factory involved in the production of acetaldehyde : the organs of men and cats who died from Minamata disease showed elevated levels of selenium as well as mercury8,9. Furthermore, the highest concentration of these substances was noted in the liver of an apparently healthy cat (Hg, 301 p.p.m.; Se, 89.7 p.p.m.) caught in a village 10 miles north of Minamata8,9. We report here that the umbilical cords of the inhabitants of Minamata seem to reflect a chronological transition in methylmercury pollution but no corresponding shift in selenium levels.
71 citations
TL;DR: This chapter discusses the intracellular neutral SH-dependent protease associated with inflammatory reactions, which was suggested that the balance between the enzyme and these inhibitors may control the intensity, extent, and duration of inflammatory reactions.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the intracellular neutral SH-dependent protease associated with inflammatory reactions. The events of inflammation fall naturally into two broad divisions involving the fluid and cellular phases of circulation. The fluid-phase reaction consists of transient vasoconstriction followed by substained dilation of arterioles, capillaries, and venules, during which blood flow is increased and subsequently decreased, and permeability to plasma protein is raised. The cellular response consists of changed function of tissue cells, migration of various types of leukocytes from blood vessels, and proliferation of migrated cells. Protease systems, which may be concerned with inflammatory reactions, fall naturally into two broad divisions, namely, the plasma protease system and the cellular protease system. The activation of the plasma protease system was first associated with anaphylaxis and in part with allergic inflammation. Neutral SH-dependent protease, which was termed an inflammatory protease, was inactivated by two types of inhibitors (serum and tissue). It was suggested that the balance between the enzyme and these inhibitors may control the intensity, extent, and duration of inflammatory reactions.
71 citations
TL;DR: If taste receptors for sweet substances are composed of a protein, the neural responses to sugars would be eliminated after digestion of the receptor protein by proteolytic enzymes, and to check this hypothesis, various proteases were applied to the rat tongue surface and impulses from the taste nerve were recorded.
Abstract: INTERACTION between taste stimuli and taste receptors has been suggested as the initial event preceding the taste cell excitation, and, based on a number of biochemical investigations, the receptors are presumed to be proteinacious in nature1–3. For example, a protein which combines with sweet substances was extracted from bovine4 and rat tongues5. Direct evidence for the ability of the extracted protein to bind with sugars has come from experiments using 14C-labelled fructose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or Sephadex gel filtration6,7. The presence of a sugar-binding receptor in taste buds has also been indicated by an experiment in which suspensions of papillae containing taste buds were found to bind more 14C-sucrose than those without taste buds. Furthermore this binding ability could be abolished by heating8. Therefore, if taste receptors for sweet substances are composed of a protein, the neural responses to sugars would be eliminated after digestion of the receptor protein by proteolytic enzymes. To check the above hypothesis, various proteases were applied to the rat tongue surface and impulses from the taste nerve were recorded. In addition, an alteration of the taste threshold produced by the enzymes were also examined in human subjects.
64 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that the exogenous 5‐HT probably acts directly on the chemosensory nerve endings and depolarizes them, but5‐HT contained in the carotid body does not play a significant role in the generation of chemoreceptor discharges.
Abstract: 1 Chemoreceptor discharges were recorded in vivo from fine filaments of the carotid sinus nerve containing a single or several active units; their frequency was used as an index of receptor activity. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on chemoreceptors were studied in 26 adult cats. At times, sinus baroreceptor discharges were recorded from the carotid nerve and the effect of 5-HT on the discharges was examined. 2 Intra-carotid injections of 5-HT (2-20 mug) induced a sharp and brief increase in chemoreceptor discharges, followed by depression or block which lasted for several seconds. Repeated injections at short intervals, and a small dose after a large dose of 5-HT resulted in depressed or blocked response to 5-HT. 3 5-HT in high doses (10-20 mug, i.a.) slightly depressed the chemoreceptor discharges induced by either acetylcholine (ACh) or NaCN, when these substances were applied within 20 s after 5-HT. 5-HT (5-20 mug, i.a.) applied during asphyxia induced a further increase in chemoreceptor discharges, soon followed by block of the discharges lasting for several seconds. 4 Atropine or hexamethonium in high doses did not change the chemoreceptor response to 5-HT, while that to ACh was markedly depressed. 5 (+)-Lysergic diethylamide (LSD), methysergide or gramine did not alter the response to 5-HT, while LSD in low doses produced a marked increase in chemoreceptor discharges. 6 Acute and chronic treatment with reserpine (5-10 mg/kg, i.v.) of the animals did not change the sensitivity and the reactivity of the chemoreceptor to ACh and NaCN, while the chemoreceptor response to 5-HT was augmented, indicating an increase in the sensitivity of chemoreceptors to 5-HT. 7 5-HT in small doses (2-10 mug, i.a.) induced a marked increase in sinus baroreceptor discharges; subsequently discharges were depressed or blocked for several seconds. 8 The results are discussed in relation to possible mechanism of action of 5-HT on the chemoreceptors. It is concluded that the exogenous 5-HT probably acts directly on the chemosensory nerve endings and depolarizes them, but 5-HT contained in the carotid body does not play a significant role in the generation of chemoreceptor discharges.
56 citations
TL;DR: This report describes one possible target site—the synaptic transmission in the sympathetic ganglia—for methylmercury poisoning, as a number of heavy metallic ions such as La3+, Co2+ and Mn2+ have recently been reported to have profound effects on neuromuscular transmission.
Abstract: IN recent years, several incidences of methylmercury pollution have been documented1,2, one of the most striking alterations induced by the compound being extensive damage to the nervous system. Experimental mercury poisoning has been produced in animals3,5, detailed morphological studies of which have shown that acute changes occur initially in the peripheral nerve fibres and thereafter in the central nerve cells3,4. Little is known, however, about functional changes in the nervous system, particularly in the initial stages of poisoning. This report describes one possible target site—the synaptic transmission in the sympathetic ganglia—for methylmercury poisoning. The study is also of interest, as a number of heavy metallic ions such as La3+, Co2+ and Mn2+ have recently been reported to have profound effects on neuromuscular transmission6–9.
52 citations
01 Jan 1975
39 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that TLV of 100 ppm for toluene adopted in Japan as well as the As-sociation of Industrial Health should be reconsidered.
Abstract: To obtain basic data on TLV for toluene and early findings of toluene intoxica-tion, some investigations were undertaken for female shoe makers exposed to low concentration of toluene vapor ranging about 60 to 100 ppm.Subjective symptoms of the exposed group were significantly different from those of control group on sensation of general weakness, dysmenorrhoea, itching and dermatitis of hands and feeling uneasy about solvent vapor. In hematological findings, there was no significant difference in both groups except for appearance rate of Mommsen's toxic granules in peripheral neutrophiles. Mean value and standard deviation of hippuric acid concentration in the urine were 3.26±0.82mg/ml in ex-posed group and 0.35±0.24mg/ml in control group, which revised at 1.024 by specific gravity.There were some significant differences between them in neurologic and muscular function tests such as abnormal tendon reflex, grasping power of not-dominant in the whip hand, decrease in tapping tempo, agility of the fingers, and so forth.These findings suggest that TLV of 100 ppm for toluene adopted in Japan As-sociation of Industrial Health should be reconsidered.
38 citations
TL;DR: Two neutral proteases were isolated from lysosomal fraction of rabbit PMN leukocytes and purified by chromatography, and the SH-independent protease was ineffective for such chemotactic generation, suggesting different enzymatic characteristics of these proteases.
36 citations
TL;DR: C cyanidin 3-monoglucoside as the most common anthocyanin, the 3-rutinoside and the3-sambubioside were found in the fruits with high frequency.
Abstract: The anthocyanin pigments in the fruits of fifty-two species belonging to seventeen families of angiosperms were investigated paper-chromatographicallly. They were identified as cyanidin 3-monoglucoside, pelargonidin 3-monoglucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-xylosylglucoside, cyanidin 3-xylosylgalactoside, delphinidin 3-xylosylglucoside and delphinidin 3-sophorosido-5-monoglucoside. Of those anthocyanins detected, the most common was cyanidin 3-monoglucoside. In general, the plants belonging to a certain genus contained the same anthocyanin.
TL;DR: Histochemical technique using autoradiographic procedure was presented which can be used to demonstrate non-labeled mercury in paraffin-embedded tissues of the central nervous system and other organs and appears more sensitive for the demonstration of intracellular mercury in Minamata disease.
Abstract: Histochemical technique using autoradiographic procedure was presented which can be used to demonstrate non-labeled mercury in paraffin-embedded tissues of the central nervous system and other organs. Compared to other histochemical methods, this technique allows the use of formalin-embedded, stored, serial paraffin sections and appears more sensitive for the demonstration of intracellular mercury in Minamata disease (methylmercury poisoning). The technique forms reaction products of high quality which can easily be seen in cell bodies and does not disturb the structure of tissue cells during preparation.
TL;DR: A convenient synthesis of toxoflavins and tox oflavin 4-oxides, which consists of the nitrosative cyclization of the aldehyde hydrazones of 3-methyl-6-(1-methylhydrazino) uracil, is described.
Abstract: A convenient synthesis of toxoflavins and toxoflavin 4-oxides, which consists of the nitrosative cyclization of the aldehyde hydrazones of 3-methyl-6-(1-methylhydrazino) uracil, is described. Both toxoflavins and toxoflavin 4-oxides gave the corresponding 1-demethyltoxoflavins (8-demethylfervenulins) by treatment with nucleophiles such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and acetic acid. The preparation of some 4, 8-dihydrotoxoflavin derivatives is described.
TL;DR: The relative sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light of genome functions of the P3HR‐1 strain of Epstein‐Barr virus was studied and the formation of viral capsid antigen appeared to be more sensitive than that of early antigen, while the synthesis of membrane antigen was most resistant.
Abstract: The relative sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light of genome functions of the P3HR-1 strain of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was studied. The formation of viral capsid antigen (VCA) appeared to be more sensitive than that of early antigen (EA), while the synthesis of membrane antigen (MA) was most resistant, as seen on examination in the presence of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). However, the appearance of both VCA and EA, but not that of MA, was delayed with UV-irradiated virus, in either the presence or absence of Ara-C. The synthesis of EA and VCA induced by UV-irradiated virus was suppressed in the presence of Ara-C, while that of MA was not.
TL;DR: The results suggest that a certain proportion of the striated muscle of the esophagus is innervated by processes from the intermediate ganglion cells in the Auerbach plexus.
TL;DR: This investigation was performed in order to analyze the basic relationships between the archenteron roof and the overlying ectoderm in primary induction in the Cynopus (Triturus) pyrrhogaster embryo.
Abstract: This investigation was performed in order to analyze the basic relationships between the archenteron roof and the overlying ectoderm in primary induction in the Cynopus (Triturus) pyrrhogaster embryo.
The part of the archenteron roof that is active in inducing capacity extends linearly after invagination at the speed of 0.15 mm per hr at 23°C until stage 13b. The period of contact at each position of the presumptive neuro-ectoderm with the active archenteron roof could be estimated by the formula described in the Discussion.
Pieces of the presumptive neuro-ectoderm were isolated from gastrulae at three developmental stages and cultured separately in Holtfreter solution after being divided caudo-cranially into 4 parts. The result showed that some of them were able to differentiate into neural tissues even in the mid-gastrula stage and that the presumptive neuro-ectoderm acquired the capacity to differentiate into neural tissue along a caudocranial axis from the part adjacent to the blastopore during gastrulation.
It could be estimated that 3 hr of contact with the active archenteron roof is sufficient for the presumptive neuro-ectoderm to differentiate into neural tissue.
The present study also showed that the neuralizing capacity of the whole prospective neuro-ectodermal area has already been determined before the end of stage 13, i.e., within less than 14 hr after first contact of the ectoderm with the active archenteron roof at 23°C.
TL;DR: Results indicates that the histidyl residue does not function as a base abstracting the α-hydrogen atom of these substrates but acts as a catalytic residue involved in the interaction with the distal carboxylate of a natural dicarboxylic substrate as proposed previously.
01 Jan 1975
TL;DR: The effect of con A and its succinylated derivative (succinyl con A) on cell agglutination and the K+-compartmentation of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells (EATC).
Abstract: CONCANAVALIN A (con A) has become an interesting probe for the study of dynamic structures of the cell surface1–3, and of mechanisms of metabolic stimulation such as lymphoid cell transformation4,5, polymorphonuclear leukocyte respiration6, and of selective killing of the transformed cells7. The critical initial event in these phenomena is the binding of con A to specific receptor sites on the cell surface. One of the most important problems is to determine how interactions of surface receptors with this ligand are linked to the intracellular metabolism. We report here the effect of con A and its succinylated derivative (succinyl con A) on cell agglutination and the K+-compartmentation of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells (EATC).
TL;DR: The increase in the cathepsin D activity in the cardiac lymph and the pericardial fluid may indicate an increase in amount of myocardial lysosomal enzymes liberated into the interstitial space during myocardIAL ischemia.
TL;DR: The occurrence of the zooplankton at 21 stations in Yatsushiro-kai, western Kyushu, was investigated in June, September and November of 1968, and March of 1969 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The occurrence of the zooplankton at 21 stations in Yatsushiro-kai, western Kyushu, was investigated in June, September and November of 1968, and March of 1969. Copepods formed the most predominant constituent among the collected Zooplankton. AlthoughParacalanus parvus was abundant in most of the surveyed region, other copepods occurred dominantly in the following order when going from the northeastern area toward the southwest:
Oithona nana→Acartia clausi→Microsetella norvegica→Oithona similis→Corycaeus spp. Yatsushiro-kai can be characterized biologically by dividing it into two main regions. The northern half is more embaymental and the southern half is more oceanic, bordered by an area whereMicrosetella norvegica occurred as the dominant. The area whereAcartia clausi occurred dominantly is the most embaymental in the northern half, and the area whereCorycaeus spp. occurred dominantly is the most oceanic in the southern half.
TL;DR: It is concluded that the external K ions could be replaced by Rb, Cs and NH4 ions in activating the electrogenic Na pump in “Na-rich” soleus muscle fibres, but that the electrogensic Na Pump in this tissue does not require the external Na ions.
Abstract: The effect of change of the external ionic composition on "Na-loaded" and "K-depleted" soleus muscle fibres of K-deficient rats was investigated by recording resting membrane potentials. The addition of K, Rb, Cs and NH4 ions to K-free Krebs solution bathing "Na-rich" muscles resulted in a rapid hyperpolarization. The hyperpolarization was abolished by removing the above cations, cooling to ca. 4 degrees C, and adding 0.1 mM ouabain. The effectiveness of cations for activating the electrogenic Na pump was Rb greater than or equal to K greater than NH4 greater than Cs, and NH4 ions seemed to be unique in their stimulating action. The resting cell membrane of "Na-rich" muscles is permeable to cations in the order of Rb = K greater than Cs greater than NH4. Reducing Na ions in Krebs solution had no effect on the rate of Na-pumping in "Na-rich" muscle fibres at a given K concentration. It is concluded that the external K ions could be replaced by Rb, Cs and NH4 ions in activating the electrogenic Na pump in "Na-rich" soleus muscle fibres, but that the electrogenic Na pump in this tissue does not require the external Na ions.
TL;DR: A thin-layer chromatographic method for the detection and determination of Paraquat in biological materials is presented and the best results were obtained on silica gel G plates with meethanol : 6N hydrochloric acid or methanol: 6N sulfuric acid.
TL;DR: The EBV‐induced cap formation was analogous to that induced by antibodies or ligands on other lymphoid cells, and was reversibly inhibited by sodium azide or some sugars.
Abstract: Redistribution and consequent cap formation of Epstein-Barr virus adsorbed to human lymphoblastoid cells were studied by indirect membrane immunofluorescence carried out at 0 degrees C. When EBV was adsorbed on cells at 0 degrees C, the cell surface fluorescence had a mostly r-ng-like pattern. However, the ring cells could be transformed into cap cells when warmed at 37 degrees C. This cap formation could be induced by EBV alone without participation of antibodies involved in the immunofluorescence procedure. The cap formation was temperature- and pH-dependent, and was reversibly inhibited by sodium azide or some sugars. Thus the EBV-induced cap formation was analogous to that induced by antibodies or ligands on other lymphoid cells.
01 Jan 1975
TL;DR: The results indicate that the local anesthetics exert a depressant action on taste cells by inhibiting changes in the membrane conductance and generation of depolarization, which are produced by chemical stimuli and are responsible for impulse initiation at sensory nerve terminals.
Abstract: Immediately after application of procaine or lidocaine to the surface of the tongue a transient response occurs in the glossopharyngeal nerve, while a depolarization of a few mV associated with an increase in the input resistance was observed in taste cells. When applied to the tongue for a long time, procaine and lidocaine depressed responses in the glossopharyngeal nerve to chemical stimulation of the frog tongue. The depressant effect is strongest on quinine response, next on responses to salts, and weakest on response to acid. Under the action of the local anesthetics both the magnitude of depolarization and the amount of input resistance change in taste cells, produced by stimulation by various chemicals, are small compared with those observed in normal cells. The action of anesthetics on the depolarization in taste cells is also strongest on quinine response and weakest on acid response. The results indicate that the local anesthetics exert a depressant action on taste cells by inhibiting changes in the membrane conductance and generation of depolarization, which are produced by chemical stimuli and are responsible for impulse initiation at sensory nerve terminals.
TL;DR: A survey of 27 plants of Ilex and Euonymus revealed that the distribution of anthocyanins and cinnamic acid esters in their fruits is correlated with accepted taxonomic classification as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: The present findings suggest that the degradation process partly depends on proteolysis by serine type proteinase(s) and partly on the involvement of sulfhydryl groups, which implies two possible applications; one for chemotherapy with Neocarzinostatin in combination with inhibitors of proteolytic catalysis and the other for drug design through the modification of amino acid residues on Neocarsinostatin molecules.
Abstract: Inactivation of antitumor antibiotic, Neocarzinostatin, which occurs in vivo or during incubation with serum in a test tube, was found to depend on the dose of serum and incubation period The inactivation process was accompanied with degradation of Neocarzinostatin to a smaller molecular size with concomitant loss in antigenic activities at a slower rate Apparent increase, close to about 250% of control, in the antibiotic activity was found before the inactivation, in the presence of diisopropyl fluorophosphate, or about 200% in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide The present findings suggest that the degradation process partly depends on proteolysis by serine type proteinase(s) and partly on the involvement of sulfhydryl groups These results imply two possible applications; one for chemotherapy with Neocarzinostatin in combination with inhibitors of proteolysis and the other for drug design through the modification of amino acid residues on Neocarzinostatin molecules which provide the enzyme binding sites such as lysine and arginine for the proteolytic catalysis