Komei Nakao

Acid mucopolysaccharide composition of human-heart valve

Abstract 1. 1. The content and fractional distribution of acid mucopolysaccharides in normal human-heart valves were studied. 2. 2. The acid mucopolysaccharide content was significantly different in the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves in the young age group. The aortic valve contained the highest amount of acid mucopolysaccharide and the tricuspid had the least. 3. 3. The content of acid mucopolysaccharide decreased with age in these three valves. The decrease was most marked in the aortic valve and the tricuspid showed the least change. 4. 4. Three kinds of acid mucopolysaccharide, namely hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate B and chondroitin sulfate A or C were found in these valves. Hyaluronic acid was the major component constituting approx. 60% of the total acid mucopolysaccharide. 5. 5. There was no remarkable change in the distribution of these three acid mucopolysaccharides during the aging process from 20 to 60 years or over.

Progesterone-specific protein crystals in the endometrium: An electron microscopic study

Abstract Electron microscopic examination of endometrium from castrated women and rabbits given progesterone reveals cytoplasmic crystalloid structures. The appearance of these crystalloids in human endometrium is concomitant with the formation of a nucleolar channel system. Estrogen administration without progesterone does not induce these changes.

Fine structure of collagen fibrils as revealed by ruthenium red

Abstract The unit collagen fibril in connective tissue was studied by electron microscopy utilizing the ruthenium red staining technique of Luft for mucopolysaccharide. Ruthenium red-reactive material, presumably mucopolysaccharide, was demonstrable at the center and at the periphery of each unit fibril, associated with the periodic bands d − a 4 in a rather specific manner. The periodic bands d − a 4 were the site of interconnection with the network of the connective tissue matrix. Ruthenium red reactivity at these sites was significantly increased in pathological conditions.

VARIATION OF LOCALIZATION OF AMPASE AND ATPASE ACTIVITIES AT THE PLASMA MEMBRANE OF HUMAN PROSTATIC EPITHELIAL CELLS: AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY

‘This work was supported by U. S. Public Health Service Research Gramsts CA0811201 and HE0219010, and by U. S. Public Health Service Special Fellowship Grant 1F3CA2O,00501 from the Nationsal Cancer Institute. menmsbrmusse ol sonic cells is mshle tom hydrolyze wily triphosphates, whereas others mire mible to livdrolyze all three nsucleoside piso)sphates, i.e., nsono-, diamid tniphospluates. Tise plasma ussenmibrauie of humans pnostatic epithelial cells has beemu foumnd tom hydrolyze both ussommsol-ansd tripisosphsates. However, the lomcalizatiouu oil the reactiomu produsct oml the two is diffenetst. Hunmanu prostate tissue w’mis (mhtainse(l Ironus prost atect omies for beniguu prost at ic hiypempbmisia

Collagen and platelet interaction in experimental vegetative cardiac valvular lesions

Abstract Miniature (nonbacterial) platelet thrombi of the cardiac valve were produced by either a single injection of SHU (Chinese Red) or by a direct needle puncture in the rat. The early sequential changes in the formation of miniature platelet thrombi on the valve, as described, indicate an in vivo interaction of collagen to platelet, with resultant platelet clumping.