N-terminal amino acid sequence of a 28 kDa major serum high density lipoprotein of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

As there are few data on primary structures of fish apolipoproteins (apo), we determined the N-terminal sequence of a 28 kDa major serum protein of rainbow trout, a possible homologue of apoAI protein in higher vertebrates. Rainbow trout serum was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. A spot of the 28 kDa protein (pl 5.

Analyses of antigenic and genetic diversities of Theileria sergenti piroplasm surface proteins.

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against Theileria sergenti Fukushima stock, an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite of cattle, were produced. The MoAbs reacted with 32 kDa or 23 kDa piroplasm surface protein (p32 or p23) in Western blot analysis. Using a panel of the MoAbs, antigenic analysis of the stocks and field isolates distributed in Japan was carried out.

Theileriosis in Zambia: etiology, epidemiology and control measures.

In Zambia, theileriosis manifests itself in the form of Corridor disease (CD), caused by Theileria parva lawrencei, and East Coast fever (ECF), caused by T. parva parva. Of the approximately 3 million cattle in Zambia, 1.

Relationship between cellular glutathione level and susceptibility to LAK killing in human pharyngeal carcinoma cell line.

We examined the relationship between cellular glutathione (GSH) level and susceptibility to lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell-mediated cytolysis in KB human pharyngeal carcinoma cells. Treatment of KB cells with D,L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), a gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase blocker, resulted in decreased total intracellular GSH levels associated with increased susceptibility to LAK killing. In contrast, treatment with oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTZ, a precursor of cysteine), which is known to increase cellular GSH level, decreased the susceptibility of KB cells to LAK killing.

Possible compensatory role of parathyroid hormone-related peptide on maintenance of calcium homeostasis in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Recent studies have revealed that altered mineral and vitamin D metabolism is observed in diabetic patients with the complication of osteopenia. In order to elucidate the role of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) on calcium homeostasis in diabetes, we have measured the serum level and urinary excretion of PTHrP as well as other serum calcium-regulating hormones in 106 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and 43 control subjects. The serum concentration of intact PTH was 2.

Analysis of mixed parasite populations of Theileria sergenti using cDNA probes encoding a major piroplasm surface protein.

The gene for the 32 kDa surface protein (p32) of Theileria sergenti was cloned into lambda gt11 and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene encodes a protein of 283 amino acids as deduced from its nucleotide sequence with a 22 residue N-terminal signal peptide. Using this cDNA as a probe we have isolated another two clones from a cDNA library with a CDM8 vector system derived from the same parasite stock.

Detection of Theileria sergenti infection in cattle by polymerase chain reaction amplification of parasite-specific DNA.

A pair of synthetic oligonucleotide primers, designed from the gene encoding a 32-kDa intraerythrocytic piroplasm surface protein of Theileria sergenti, were used to amplify parasite DNA from the blood of T. sergenti-infected cattle by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR-amplified DNA was examined by electrophoresis and by dot blot or microplate hybridization using a parasite-specific cDNA probe.

[A comparative study of the health conditions of elderly people living alone, elderly couples and the bedridden elderly at home in a rural area of Shiga Prefecture: special reference to morbidity rate and blood pressure, electrocardiograph and blood examination data].

For the purpose of obtaining basic data and for establishing a support system for elderly people with various health and social problems, a population survey was performed in 1990 to investigate the health and living conditions of elderly people living alone, elderly couples and the bedridden elderly in the town of Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture. A total of 275 subjects (103 male, 172 female) 65 years of age and over were surveyed. The participation rate in this survey was 88.

The epidemiological studies of Streptococcus suis infections in Japan from 1987 to 1991.

The epidemiological studies of S. suis infections in Japan were carried out between 1987 to 1991. A total of 380 S.

Identification of a novel gene, dep, associated with depolymerization of the capsular polymer in Bacillus anthracis.

Bacillus anthracis produces a gamma-linked poly-D-glutamic acid capsule that is essential for virulence. A 6.2 kb fragment of B.

Changes in the hybridization patterns of populations of Theileria sergenti during infection.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of Theileria sergenti DNA were analysed using probes of a genomic DNA fragment (pTs 2) and a cDNA corresponding to this genomic probe (C-Ts 2). Each of the probes detected RFLPs in DNA from different stocks of Theileria sergenti. Additionally, using these probes, alterations in hybridization patterns were observed in samples of the parasites harvested at different times after individual calves had been infected with Theileria sergenti.

Characterization of epitopes on a 32 kDa merozoite surface protein of Theileria sergenti.

Epitopes on a 32 kDa protein, which is an immunodominant major surface protein of Theileria sergenti, recognized by anti-merozoite monoclonal antibodies were characterized. The results of a competitive binding assay between monoclonal antibodies indicated that there were at least three epitopes in this protein. The presence of repeated epitopes was suggested by using two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Protein characterization of Babesia equi piroplasms isolated from infected horse erythrocytes.

Proteins of Babesia equi piroplasms were characterized. The piroplasms of B. equi were purified by lysis of infected horse erythrocytes with N2 gas cavitation followed by separation in Percoll density-gradient centrifugation.

Pharmacological actions of "kyushin," a drug containing toad venom (3): Effects on experimentally induced arrhythmia.

The pharmacological effects of the toad venom-containing drug "kyushin" on aconitine- and thyroxine-induced arrhythmia in guinea pigs, on the conduction system in Langendorff preparations of rabbit hearts and on the autonomic nervous system in cats were studied. "kyushin" significantly inhibited the aconitine-induced arrhythmia after intraduodenal administration (i.d.

Analysis of the genes encoding immunodominant piroplasm surface proteins of Theileria sergenti and Theileria buffeli by nucleotide sequencing and polymerase chain reaction.

The nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs encoding a 33-kDa piroplasm protein of Theileria sergenti (p33) and a similar protein of Theileria buffeli (p34) were determined. Both of the genes contained an open reading frame of 849 base pairs. The predicted amino acid sequence of p33 and p34, consisting of 283 residues, showed 82% similarity.

Detection and characterization of Theileria sergenti proteinases.

The lysate of Theileria sergenti piroplasms was tested for proteinases using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in which substrate was included in gel matrix. Six proteinases of molecular weight 330, 125, 98, 94, 67 and 58 kilodalton (kDa) were detected. From the results of the Triton X-114 phase partition, 330, 125 and 58 kDa proteinases were partitioned into aqueous phase, which indicated that they were not associated with parasite membranes.

Cloning and characterization of the casein kinase II alpha subunit gene from the lymphocyte-transforming intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva.

Theileria parva is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite which is the causative agent of East Coast fever, an acute, leukemia-like disease of cattle. The intralymphocytic stage of the parasite induces blastogenesis and clonal expansion of quiescent bovid lymphocytes. Experiments in our laboratory have shown a marked increase of casein kinase II- (CK II-) like activity in T.

Preliminary biochemical characterization of 'veil' structure purified from Theileria sergenti-, T. buffeli- and T. orientalis-infected bovine erythrocytes.

A structure called 'veil' in Theileria sergenti-, T. buffeli- or T. orientalis-infected bovine erythrocytes was purified from erythrocyte lysates by Percoll density-gradient centrifugation.

[Effect of tranilast, an anti-allergic drug, on the human keloid tissues].

We studied the inhibitory effects of tranilast, an anti-allergic drug, on the human keloid tissues implanted into the dorsal skin of athymic nude mice and on the growth of keloid fibroblast in vitro. In the keloid tissue-implanted model, tranilast (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.

Molecular cloning and immunological analysis of immunodominant piroplasm surface proteins of Theileria sergenti and T. buffeli.

cDNA libraries of Theileria sergenti and T. buffeli piroplasms were constructed in lambda gt11 and screened with rabbit anti-piroplasm sera. A major antigen of T.

Effects of aminotriazole treatment on biosyntheses of primary bile acids in vivo.

The influence of aminotriazole treatment on primary bile acid biosynthesis was studied in detail. After administration of aminotriazole to rats, bile was collected for 8 h. The content of chenodeoxycholic acid in the bile was increased to 144% of the control by aminotriazole treatment, but that of cholic acid was decreased to 48.

[Pharmacological effects of Gosha-jinki-gan-ryo extract: effects on experimental diabetes].

Pharmacological effects of Gosha-jinki-gan-ryo extract (KJE) on experimental diabetes induced by cyproheptadine (CPH), aldose reductase activity, and experimental peripheral neuropathy were studied. The effects of KJE were compared with those of Hachimi-jio-gan-ryo extract (HJE). KJE at 417 mg/kg/day (5 times the daily dose in humans) and HJE at 367 mg/kg/day (5 times the daily dose in humans) significantly inhibited the decrease in glucose tolerance by CPH.

Antigenic differences between Japanese Theileria sergenti and other benign Theileria species of cattle from Australia (T. buffeli) and Britain (T. orientalis).

Serological comparisons among piroplasm antigens of the benign Theileria species of cattle from Japan, Australia and Britain, which are frequently referred to as T. sergenti, T. buffeli and T.