Showing papers by "Kumamoto University published in 1977"
231 citations
TL;DR: Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) were observed ultrastructurally in stages from their endodermal to gonadal locations and often had pseudopodia in PGCs in the separation and migration stages, suggesting their amoeboid movement in vivo.
Abstract: Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) were observed ultrastructurally in stages from their endodermal to gonadal locations. Primitive PGCs in the hind-gut epithelium of the 4-week embryo, were recognized as well demarcated cells from the neighboring cells. At the time fo separation, the basal lamina of the epithelium was broken, then, through the gap so opened, the PGCs started to escape into the outer mesenchyme. In embryos at five weeks, PGCs were in the migration stage, and were found in the dorsal mesentery, at the coelomic angle and in the forming germinal ridge. In embryos at six weeks or later, almost all PGCS were accumulated in the gonad. The PGC was characterized by its large size and the large and round nucleus with conspicuous nucleolus, and by the presence of abundant glycogen particles and a considerable number of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated selectively on the plasma membrane of the PGC. The shape of PGC was irregular, often had pseudopodia in PGCs in the separation and migration stages, suggesting their amoeboid movement in vivo, but was generally round or elliptic in PGCs in the settlement stage. The PGC was usually surrounded by and in close association with adjacent somatic cells.
156 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a theoretical equation was derived by dealing with the instability problem of such waves and an experimental correlation was worked out on the basis of the derived theoretical equation and experimental data.
93 citations
TL;DR: These observations provide evidence for a certain number of afferent units in the cardiac sympathetic nerve with polymodal sensitivity, which can provide the spinal cord with information not only on mechanical changes in cardiac events, but also changes in the chemical environment of the cardiac nerve ending, possibly produced by myocardial ischemia.
Abstract: Afferent discharges of 64 single units were recorded from the left cardiac sympathetic nerve of anesthetized cats. Mechano-sensitive terminals of the afferent fibers were localized in the extrapulmonary part of the pulmonary artery, left atrium, left ventricle and left pericardium, as determined by direct mechanical probing of the heart after death of the animals. Conduction velocity of the fibers ranged from 2.5 to 14.6 m/s. Excitation of these Aδ-fibers with mechanically excitable endings was produced by intravenous injections of acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, bradykinin, histamine and veratridine, and/or by topical application of these agents to the receptor region. Noxious heat to the mechanically excitable field in the wall of the pulmonary artery and the left ventricle also activated their afferent fibers. These observations provide evidence for a certain number of afferent units in the cardiac sympathetic nerve with polymodal sensitivity. These afferent fibers can provide the spinal cord with information not only on mechanical changes in cardiac events, but also changes in the chemical environment of the cardiac nerve ending, possibly produced by myocardial ischemia.
71 citations
TL;DR: The reaction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from rat kidney with a glutamine analog, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, resulted in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme, which indicates the active-site-directed nature of this reagent.
Abstract: The reaction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from rat kidney with a glutamine analog, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, resulted in irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. The concentration of this reagent giving a half-maximum rate of inactivation was 6 mMat pH 7.5. The inactivation was prevented by the presence of reduced glutathione in a competitive fashion, which indicates the active-site-directed nature of this reagent. The rate of inactivation was greatly accelerated in the presence of maleate, which is known to enhance the glutaminase activity of this enzyme. The presence of maleate increased the maximum velocity of the inactivation, but did not affect the affinity of the enzyme for 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine. Inactivation of the enzyme with 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-[6=14C]norleucine as well as with 6-diazo-5-oxo-L[1,2,3,4,5-14C]norleucine resulted in a stoichiometric incorporation of radioactivity into the enzyme protein via covalent linkage. The amount of radioactivity incorporated was 1 mol 14C label/248000 g enzyme protein. A native enzyme preparation showing a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave four distinct bands upon sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Upon sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the 14C-labeled enzyme, only the band moving the fastest towards the anode was found to contain radioactivity. This finding indicates that this protein band represents the catalytic component of the enzyme.
66 citations
63 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, changes in fluorescence intensity of the dye 3, 3'-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide were monitored in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of reagents that modulate plasma membrane dynamics.
Abstract: Changes in fluorescence intensity of the dye 3, 3'-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide were monitored in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of reagents that modulate plasma membrane dynamics. Valinomycin, a specific K+ ionophore, increased fluorescence intensity as a function of log K+ concentration in incubation medium. The fluorescence was intensified by treating cells with concanavalin A, and 100μg/ml of the lectin was required for a half maximum change. The change was temperature dependent. It was inhibited by potent depressants of membrane fluidity, such as cholesterol ester and cepharanthine, or by colchicine which degrades microtubules. Cytochalasin B which degrades microfilament assembly stimulated fluorescence change. The change was also dependent on the ionic environment and energy state of PMN. These data suggest that the fluidity of the surface membrane and cytoskeletal system are closely related to changes in PMN membrane potential. The data further suggest that the changes might be involved in the concanavalin A-related transmembrane control mechanism.
58 citations
TL;DR: A rapid and sensitive method for the separation and quantification of the prostaglandins, using beta-cyclodextrin in the mobile phase, is described.
54 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results suggest that these enzymes are inhibited by different mechanisms: L-mimosine inhibits tyrosinase because of its structural similarity to the substrate, L-dopa, and dopamine β-hydroxylase is inhibited by L- mimosines, mimosinamine, and mimosinic acid because of their chelate-forming ability.
Abstract: Because of the structural similarity of L-mimosine to L-tyrosine and L-dopa and its tendency to chelate cupric ion, the influence of this compound on mammalian tyrosinase from mouse melanoma and dopamine β-hydroxylase extracted from bovine adrenal medulla was investigated in vitro. L-Mimosine inhibited tyrosinase competitively and reversibly, and the inhibitory effect was decreased by ferric, aluminum, or cupric ion. Dopamine β-hydroxylase was inhibited by L-mimosine, mimosinamine, and mimosinic acid, but the inhibition was uncompetitive. The results suggest that these enzymes are inhibited by different mechanisms: L-mimosine inhibits tyrosinase because of its structural similarity to the substrate, L-dopa. Dopamine β-hydroxylase is inhibited by L-mimosine, mimosinamine, and mimosinic acid because of their chelate-forming ability.
52 citations
TL;DR: In a study of the quantitative relationship between the target cells for viral transformation and those B cells which possessed SIg after an acid pH treatment, 10 lymphocyte preparations from three cord blood samples and seven adult peripheral blood samples were tested individually and correlated nicely, suggesting that SIg(M)-bearing cells were probably the major target among the B lymphocytes for transformation by EBV.
51 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the spatial elasto-plastic behavior of steel arches is investigated in the case where they collapse due to inelastic lateral instability producing flexural-torsional deformations towards out-of-plane of the arch.
Abstract: The spatial elasto-plastic behavior of steel arches is investigated in the case where they collapse due to inelastic lateral instability producing flexural-torsional deformations towards out-of-plane of the arch. A tangent stiffness matrix for large deflections of the spatial members in an elasto-plastic state is newly derived and used in the numerical calculations. Attention is paid mainly to the following parameters, i.e., slenderness ratios, residual stresses, initial lateral deflections, loading directions, and properties of the materials. Their effects on the ultimate load carrying capacity of two-hinged parabolic arches are examined and illustrated in several figures. In addition to the parametric study, a typical numerical example of the ultimate strength analysis of a central-arch-girder bridge is presented as one of applications to the actual bridge.
TL;DR: The activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase located on the outer surface of tumor cell membrane does not seem to be requisite for the transport process of amino acids.
Abstract: γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase activity was detected in rat ascites tumor cells (LY-5) suspended in Hanks' balanced saline solution using l-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide as a substrate. Whole-cell suspension of the tumor cells exhibited full activity of the enzyme without detectable cell disruption under the conditions examined.
Various amino acids, transported through specific membrane carriers, did not affect the accessibility of the substrate for the enzyme. An inhibitor of sodium-dependent transport systems of amino acids caused no significant change in the rate of enzyme catalysis. Like glutathione or S-methylglutathione, S-acetyldextran (mol. wt 215000) derivative of glutathione, which is believed to be unable to penetrate into intact cells, caused marked inhibition of the rate of p-nitroaniline release from the synthetic substrate by the tumor cells.
These data indicated that the active site of the enzyme faced to the outer surface of the cells.
γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase of the tumor cells was successfully affinity-labeled by 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine, a glutamine analog, without causing detectable change in the viability of the cells under the conditions examined. The rate of transport of alanine, leucine, glycine and glutamine into cells was not affected by the inactivation of this enzyme with the affinity label. Thus, the activity of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase located on the outer surface of tumor cell membrane does not seem to be requisite for the transport process of amino acids.
TL;DR: Purified preparations of each isoenzyme thus obtained were homogeneous proteins as judged from their spectral properties and behavior on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Abstract: A procedure is described for the large-scale preparation of the cytosolic and mitochondrial isoenzymes of aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart. The procedure consists of: 1. extraction of both isoenzymes by heat treatment of homogenates prepared from minced and frozen heat muscle; 2. separation of each isoenzyme on a hydroxyapatite column; 3. purification of each isoenzyme by combinations of heat treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on ion-exchange cellulose columns. Purified preparations of each isoenzyme thus obtained were homogeneous proteins as judged from their spectral properties and behavior on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Using the present procedure, 1.2 g of the cytosolic isoenzyme and 1.7 g of the mitochondrial isoenzyme were obtained from 20 kg of minced heart muscle.
TL;DR: Pathological, histochemical, and analytical studies have confirmed the presence of Minamata Disease in at least one of two cats that lived on or near Indian Reserves in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, and symptoms parallel the Japanese experience in the 1950s.
TL;DR: Several lysosomal enzyme activities in cultured lymphoid cell lines were studied during 3 phases of cell culture; logarithmic growth phase, stationary phase and decline phase and a drop in α-l-fucosidase and α-d-mannosid enzyme activity was found during the stationary and decline phases ofcell culture.
TL;DR: Myelin degeneration, glycogen deposits and appearance of dense bodies in axons, and vesiculation and fragmentation of endoplasmic reticulum were observed as degenerative changes due to the effects of mercury accumulation in patients with relatively mild Minamata disease.
Abstract: Biopsy of the sural nerve was performed on six patients with relatively mild Minamata disease of 10-year or longer duration. All of the six patients presented characteristic pathologic changes. Light microscopy disclosed the formation of irregularly shaped myelin sheaths and fine axons, an increase in them, which is suggestive of incomplete regeneration, cicatrization following the loss of nerve fibers, increase in Schwann’s nuclei, and formation of Bungner’s bands. Electron microscopy revealed incomplete myelinated fibers and ultrafine unmyelinated fibers associated with incomplete regeneration, formation of regeneration units, and collagen increase. The laminar encapsulation with the processes of Schwann’s cells were often observed in ultrafine fibers. In view of the fact that small quantities of mercury-contaminated fishes are still being caught in the Minamata district, myelin degeneration, glycogen deposits and appearance of dense bodies in axons, and vesiculation and fragmentation of endoplasmic reticulum were observed as degenerative changes due to the effects of mercury accumulation.
TL;DR: In this article, a column of Sephadex G-15 was used for gel chromatography, and the elution behavior of the anions could be followed by examining the concentration distribution of the background electrolyte (sodium chloride) by argentimetry.
TL;DR: It is suggested that the thick fur of HV monkeys may account for, if not all, the thermoregulatory responses of the Japanese macaque in snowy mountain areas.
Abstract: A field investigation was conducted to study the thermoregulatory responses in nine Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) living in a snowy mountain area, Jigoku-Dani (Hell Valley, about 1, 000m above sea level) in Shiga Heights in central Japan in late January 1975. At about the same time, a laboratory study was made on four Japanese macaques reared in mild climate in an outdoor cage in Inuyama City. In the Hell Valley (HV) monkeys, no significant change in metabolic rate was observed at Ta between-1.4 and 28.3°C, while the rectal temperature was maintained at normal level. In the cold environment, the skin temperatures of HV monkeys were significantly higher than those of the monkeys living indoors previously studied. Similar patterns of metabolic and thermal responses were observed in Inuyama monkeys living outdoors, but to a lesser degree. The hair on the back and abdomen in the HV monkeys was significantly longer than that of Inuyama monkeys living indoors. It is suggested that the thick fur of HV monkeys may account for, if not all, the thermoregulatory responses of the Japanese macaque in snowy mountain areas.
TL;DR: In this paper, an enzymic method using α-glucosidases was adapted for measuring glycogen in very small samples (3mg) of human endometrium.
TL;DR: A pharmacological study was performed in the involved pupils to demonstrate the site of lesion in a patient with Fisher's syndrome who showed marked ptosis, complete external ophthalmoplegia, pupillary involvement with anisocoria, facial paresis, ataxia, areflexia, and albuminocytological dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Abstract: A pharmacological study was performed in the involved pupils to demonstrate the site of lesion in a patient with Fisher's syndrome who showed marked ptosis, complete external ophthalmoplegia, pupillary involvement with anisocoria, facial paresis, ataxia, areflexia, and albuminocytological dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid. The instillation of 2.5% methacholine produced mild constriction of one pupil. This response was not detectable in the recovery stage. The instillation of 1.25% l-epinephrine produced marked bilateral dilation of the pupils, in both the early and recovery stages. Instillation of 5% tyramine produced pupillary dilation as in the normal pupil. The response to 5% cocaine, tested only in the recovery stage, was weak in one pupil.
These results imply that the pupillary involvement was due to peripheral involvement of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The lesion in the sympathetic nervous system was preganglionic, but in the parasympathetic nervous system the precise localization could not be determined.
TL;DR: In this paper, the equilibrium geometric parameters of peroxides (H 2 O 2, CH 2O 2 H, and CH 3 O 2 CH 3 ), alkylperoxy radicals (HO 2, CH 3O 2 ), and C 2 H 5 O 2 ) were determined by means of the semi-empirical MINDO/2' method.
TL;DR: The above results possibly suggest that 5HT would not be a chemical mediator from taste cells to nerve terminals in frog taste organ, and that LSD was the only one which modified responses to taste stimuli.
TL;DR: The group of tonsillectomized patients showed significantly better results than a group which received other methods of treatment, and a tendency to leukocytosis was observed in PPP which normalized, in many cases, aftertonsillectomy.
Abstract: Two hundred and eighty five cases of pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (PPP), of which 73 cases (25.6%) underwent tonsillectomy, were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of tonsillectomy as a treatment for PPP. The group of tonsillectomized patients showed significantly better results than a group which received other methods of treatment. A tendency to leukocytosis was observed in PPP which normalized, in many cases, after tonsillectomy. The shorter the period between the onset of PPP and tonsillectomy the better the results, and the quicker the response. A transient worsening of PPP after tonsillectomy did not after the prognosis.
In order to determine if tonsillectomy was indicated, an ultrashort wave direct provocation test was conducted in which ultrashort wave was applied to the tonsil. Leukocytosis and worsening of PPP after the test was considered as an indication for tonsillectomy. In some cases, there were considerable changes in plasma Cortisol levels and NBT test values after the provocation test.
Improvement of PPP after the Impretol test (one of the annulation tests) in which Impretol was injected into the tonsil, appears to support the focal infection origin of PPP in these cases. There is a possibility that the Impretol test could be used as a treatment for PPP.
TL;DR: Pronase E or semialkali protease eliminated the integrated responses to sweeteners; sucrose, fructose, glucose, sorbitol and saccharine selectively selectively and produced poor discrimination in two-bottle choice preference tests of rats.
TL;DR: The results suggest that the inhibitory action of trasylol on lymphocyte triggering may operate indirectly to interfere with the helping action of macrophages on lymphocytes.
TL;DR: Evidence is presented for the absorption of NCS into bladder tissue from the lumen of the bladder, as shown by the appearance of a low-molecular-weight fragment and by the absence of such an increase in the presence of inhibitors of proteolysis.
Abstract: Some aspects of the absorption, distribution, and excretion of neocarzinostatin (NCS), a proteinous antitumor antibiotic, were studied in rabbits. NCS was given intravenously (i.v.) via the auricular vein, or [14C]NCS was instilled directly into the cavity of the bladder by tubing. In both groups, ureterostomy was performed, so that the drug excreted in the urine did not pass through the bladder. The results showed extremely rapid renal clearance; namely, two-thirds of the total recovered was excreted in the first 5 min. It was also shown that drug infused into the bladder cavity could be recovered in urine from the ureterostomized ureter. Also, the level of biological activity of NCS in bladder tissues after i.v. administration is significantly lower when ureterostomy is performed. Thus, evidence is presented for the absorption of NCS into bladder tissue from the lumen of the bladder. The high levels of NCS in bladder tissue are due to this effect as well as to accumulation via the iliac artery. These data should encourage further trials of NCS in bladder cancer. A study of urine containing NCS derived from i.v. administration showed an increase in antibacterial activity upon incubation, followed by a decrease. These effects are probably due to proteolysis, as shown by the appearance of a low-molecular-weight fragment and by the absence of such an increase in the presence of inhibitors of proteolysis.
TL;DR: The brains of six cases of chronic alcoholics without arteriosclerosis and the other diseases were examined histopathologically.
Abstract: The brains of six cases of chronic alcoholics without arteriosclerosis and the other diseases were examined histopathologically. The results obtained were as follows: there were chronic nerve cell sclerosis and deletion with slightly increased glial cells in the cortex of the cerebrum, hypothalamus, mamillary body, amygdal body, dentate endplate of Ammon's horn and cerebellum. Increased vascularity was observed in the cortex of the cerebrum, while no increased vascularity was found in the mamillary bodies. In many areas, widening of Virchow-Robin spaces were observed. The above-described findings were common changes in the brains in our six cases and they might have been induced by alcoholic effect on the brain tissue for a long time. Chronic nerve cell sclerosis in many areas, especially the diencephalon and limbic system, might have a deep relation to the character change of chronic alcoholics.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the angular dependence of the NMR spectra in CoO single crystal in the antiferromagnetic state under an external magnetic field, and the observed value of the hyperfine field at 59 Co nucleus in zero external field was found to be +4953±05 kOe at 42 K.
Abstract: The investigation of 59 Co NMR in CoO single crystal has been made in the antiferromagnetic state under an external magnetic field The observed value of the hyperfine field at 59 Co nucleus in zero external field is found to be +4953±05 kOe at 42 K, which is in good agreement with the theoretically estimated value of +485 kOe Analysing the angular dependence of the NMR spectra in the external field of 150 kOe, the angle between the hyperfine field and the (001) axis is determined to be 211±05° at 42 K which differs from corresponding angle of the spin moments The angle increases slightly when the temperature is increased