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Biomedical subjects

E Nakamura

Publications and source records attributed to E Nakamura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Identification of methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococci by polymerase chain reaction.

A simple and reliable method using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was devised to identify methicillin-resistant staphylococci. By using lysates of the strain to be tested as templates and 22-mer oligonucleotides as primers, a 533-bp region of mecA, the structural gene of a low-affinity penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2'), was amplified by PCR and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results obtained by this method were compared with those obtained by broth microdilution MIC determination for 210 and 100 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, respectively. Of 99 mecA-negative S. aureus isolates, 100% of the strains were methicillin susceptible and 98% of the strains were oxacillin susceptible. Three strains (3%) of 111 mecA-positive S. aureus isolates exhibited almost the same susceptibility to beta-lactams as the mecA-negative ones and did not produce detectable amounts of PBP 2' despite the presence of the mecA gene. One of them yielded typically methicillin-resistant variants at a low frequency with concomitant recovery of PBP 2' production. The mecA gene was also found in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Staphylococcus caprae and conferred resistance on most of the bacteria.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

[Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by polymerase chain reaction].

The low-affinity penicillin-binding protein (PBP 2') is associated with methicillin-resistance of Staphylococcus aureus and its structural gene (mecA) not present in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus could be detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, in which a 533 bp region of mecA was amplified and detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Survey for the mecA gene in 210 clinical isolates of S. aureus revealed that, while there was a gross correlation between the presence of the mecA gene and the resistance level to beta-lactams, three strains of mecA (+) tested showed beta-lactam susceptibility similar to those of mecA (-) strains. These three strains did not produce a detectable amount of PBP 2' constitutively nor inducibly, which was the cause of their high susceptibility to beta-lactams. One of them yielded a typical methicillin-resistant variant at a low frequency with a concomitant recovery of PBP 2' production when the bacterial cells of high density were spread onto an agar plate containing 10 micrograms/ml of oxacillin. These findings suggested that typical methicillin resistant S. aureus occurred during chemotherapy with beta-lactam antibiotics even when resistant strains could not be detected by the susceptibility test and thus all mecA (+) strains including those with high susceptibility should be precisely detected.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1991

[Estimation of nuclear volume of nontumorous bladder mucosa in patients with bladder tumor--measurement by vertical section].

The mean nuclear volume (MNV) of non-tumorous bladder mucosa in 27 patients with a bladder tumor was estimated by using a new stereological method, "vertical section". Eighty four specimens were obtained by punch biopsy from preselected sites of urinary bladder. Thirteen specimens (10 patients) out of 84 were histologically diagnosed as carcinoma in situ (CIS). Bladder mucosa of 24 patients with various benign diseases were also measured as normal controls. The MNV of the normal control group was 127.1 +/- 19.6 microns 3 (mean +/- standard error) and that of the specimens diagnosed with CIS was 279.6 +/- 69.0 microns 3. There was no overlap between the two groups. Out of 71 specimens diagnosed as having no malignancy, 30 (42.3%) exhibited significantly increased MNV. Estimation of the MNV of non-tumorous bladder mucosa may be useful for standardization of CIS. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of the increased MNV in histologically normal mucosa in the course of a bladder tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[201Tl-reverse redistribution in a case with stunned myocardium].

A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest pain. Electrocardiogram showed giant negative T waves in leads I, II, III, aVl, aVf and V2 through V6. Echocardiogram showed anterior wall motion abnormality. Rest-redistribution thallium scan obtained 3 days after admission revealed reverse redistribution in antero-apical area. Coronary angiogram showed no significant stenotic lesions and left ventriculogram in chronic stage showed improvement of wall motion abnormality. Repeat thallium scan in chronic stage showed disappearance of perfusion defect in apical area. It was difficult to diagnose myocardial viability in our case with stunned myocardium because rest-redistribution thallium scan showed reverse redistribution. As the mechanism of this finding, early coronary recanalization in acute stage of the event was suspected.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1990

Transfection of cDNA with G----T point mutation at the cleavage site of insulin receptors to COS 7 cells.

To study whether the G----T point mutation of insulin proreceptors at the cleavage site which changed -Arg-Lys-Arg-Arg- to -Arg-Lys-Arg-Ser- caused unprocessed insulin receptors with decreased insulin binding affinity, we performed transfection of cDNA with the mutation in COS 7 cells and examined the expressed insulin receptors. After site-directed mutagenesis, an expression vector pGEM3SV was used to make a plasmid which contained full-length HIRcDNA behind SV40 early promoter. Transfection of normal HIR cDNA produced normal insulin receptors on the plasma membranes in COS 7 cells. However, transfection of cDNA with the mutation resulted in the presence of 210K proreceptors in the plasma membranes with decreased insulin binding ability (35% of normal). These results suggest that the mutation, not the defect of converting enzyme, was the cause for unprocessed insulin proreceptors in the patients with insulin resistance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Thymic stroma-derived T cell growth factor (TSTGF): III. Its ability to promote T cell proliferation without stimulating interleukin 2- or 4-dependent autocrine mechanism.

A thymic stroma-derived cell clone, MRL104.8a produced a T cell growth factor designated as thymic stroma-derived T cell growth factor (TSTGF). This factor that is distinct from previously described T cell growth factors such as interleukin (IL) 2 or 4 was capable of promoting the growth of IL2-dependent, antigen-specific helper T cell clones. While such growth promotion was induced without requirement of the relevant antigen and exogenous IL2, we further investigated whether it depended on activation of an IL2- or IL4-dependent autocrine mechanism. Helper T cell clones, 8-E and 8-5, were able to proliferate in response to stimulation with either antigen or TSTGF. 8-E and 8-5 produced IL2 and IL4, respectively, in cultures following antigenic stimulation, whereas neither IL2 nor IL4 activity was detected in cultures during TSTGF-induced proliferation. The proliferation of these helper T cell clones by antigenic stimulation was almost completely inhibited when anti-IL2 receptor or anti-IL4 antibody was added to the cultures. The addition of cyclosporin A (CsA) to cultures of 8-E and 8-5 clones together with antigen also resulted in the complete inhibition of cellular proliferation in association with the suppression of IL2 and IL4 production. In contrast, TSTGF-induced proliferation was not affected by addition of either type of antibody or CsA. These results indicate that TSTGF is a novel T cell growth factor that can exert its own growth-promoting effect without depending on an IL2- or IL4-operating autocrine mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Biological age versus physical fitness age in women.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adult women who are in a state of high physical fitness are in a good state biologically, in terms of biological and physical fitness ages as estimated by statistical means. The subjects were 65 healthy Japanese women (aged 20-64 years). Biological and physical fitness ages were estimated from the data for 18 physiological function tests and 5 physical fitness tests, respectively, by a principal component model. The correlation coefficient between biological and physical fitness ages was 0.70 (P less than 0.01), which was generally regarded as a high correlation. Therefore, those who were in a state of high physical fitness were considered to be in good biological condition. This result is in good agreement with the results (r = 0.72) from adult men, on whom we reported previously. A statistical analysis to ascertain the relative importance of each contributory variable associated with the variance in biological age suggested that routine clinical evaluation of blood pressure and lipid metabolism might play an important role in determining not only the presence and severity of vascular disease but also the rate of biological aging in women.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Discriminant function analysis for evaluating the status of coronary heart disease risk].

We investigated to discriminate those individuals categorized by 1. obesity, 2. hypercholesterolemia, 3. hypertension, 4. low maximal oxygen uptake, 5. an abnormal electrocardiogram reflecting ischemic patterns, and/or 6. real sedentary life, from relatively healthier individuals without coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. One hundred and six Japanese women, aged 30 to 72 years, all of whom were in the postabsorptive state, were recruited in a series of tests for anthropometric and physiologic profiles both during the resting state and during the submaximal-maximal cycling exercise. Subjects were categorized into two groups--those who possessed four or more of the above 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 (high-CHD-risk group, n = 15) and apparently healthy individuals with a minimum number of risk factors (low-CHD-risk group, n = 83). Analyses of the data revealed that a combination of 8 variables extracted from among original 25 variables accurately classified 13/15 (87%) of high-CHD-risk group and 77/83 (93%) of low-CHD-risk group (mean = 90/98 or 92%) into their respective groups. The 8 variables were double product, Katsura index, waist girth, chest girth, TG, TC, and skinfold thicknesses at the subscapular and abdominal sites. Subsequent t-test identified significant differences between groups not only for VO2max, SBP and TC but also for DBP, LDLC, TG, Hb, HR, and HRmax. Most of these differences were of a much greater magnitude compared to the existing difference in chronological age. These findings suggest the usefulness and importance of anthropometric and blood lipid variables in the explanation of differences in the health status between high-CHD-risk women and their counterparts.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Successful reconstruction of completely obstructed right CCA in Takayasu's disease: usefulness of rapid sequence scanning method--case report.

The authors describe a case of Takayasu's disease accompanied by complete occlusion of the bilateral subclavian, left vertebral (VA), and right common carotid arteries (CCA) and by severe stenosis of the right VA and left CCA. The patency of the right external and internal carotid arteries was demonstrated preoperatively by rapid sequence computed tomographic scanning. The right CCA was successfully reconstructed with an aorta-CCA bifurcation bypass. Simultaneously, the stenotic left CCA was also reconstructed with an aorta-CCA bypass using a Y-shaped woven Dacron graft.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Relapsing polychondritis in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome].

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare disorder of uncertain origin characterized by recurrent inflammation of cartilage. A case of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) associated with relapsing polychondritis is reported. A 60-year-old man who had been diagnosed as MDS was admitted because of pain and swelling in the bilateral preauricular regions and cheek. A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was made by coexistence of auricular chondritis, arthropathy, ocular inflammation and audio-vestibular disturbance. He also developed ocular palsies and optic neuritis. He was treated with prednisolone, azathioprine, dapsone, and then with steroid pulse therapy. Moreover, plasmapheresis and high dose gamma-globulin therapy were undertaken. However, all these treatments were unsuccessful and he died of respiratory failure.

Azathioprine↗
PubMed1990

[The present aspect of tuberculous pleurisy--report of the 29th series (A) of CSUCT--Cooperative Study Unit of Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis (CSUCT) of the National Sanatoria in Japan].

UNLABELLED: CSUCT carried out 9-21 month's follow up of 273 patients with exudative tuberculous pleurisy who were admitted to 39 national sanatoria in 1985, and were treated for the first time. The background factors of the patients at the time of admission were as follows: the average age, 47.2; male/female ratio 3:1; idiopathic pleurisy 163 cases and secondary pleurisy 110 cases. Distribution of maximal temperature on admission; 37.0 degrees C or less 24.4%; 37.1-38.0 degrees C 37.8%; 38.1-39.0 degrees C 28.5%; higher than 39.0 degrees C 9.3%. Younger patients tended to show higher temperature than the older. The positivity of tuberculin reaction was 84.3%, and among them 34% were strongly positive (greater than or equal to 20 mm). There was no correlation between the volume of pleural effusion and the intensity of tuberculin reaction. In patients more than 60 years of ages, the positivity was low (76.0%). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (after 1 hour) was 63.6 +/- 31.6 mm. CLINICAL SYMPTOMS: cough in 72%; sputum in 48.5%; chest pain in 57.5%; tubercle bacilli in sputum in 11.6%. We compared idiopathic pleurisy (I) and secondary pleurisy (S) and total cases of pleurisy (T) regarding several factors; average age (I: 46.7, S: 48.0, T: 47.2); peak season of incidence (I: Feb. Mar. S: Mar. April, T: Feb. Mar. April); the period of hospitalisation (I: 4.07 months, S: 5.80 months, T: 4.77 months); the positive rate of tubercle bacilli in the pleural effusion (I: 9.0%, S: 12.9%, T: 10.5%); %VC (mean value) on admission (I: 71.4%, S: 69.8%, T: 70.7 +/- 17.0%); %VC after treatment (I: 79.0%, S: 79.7%, T: 79.4 +/- 17.9%), and we found no significant difference in the above factors between I. and S. In 49 patients who were treated by chemotherapy with steroids, %VC before treatment was 68.9% (mean value), and that after treatment was 81.2% (mean value), however, there was no significant difference between the %VC of these patients and that of total patients. Recent chemotherapy (SM or EB + INH + RFP) greatly contributed to improve clinical symptoms by accelerating the absorption of pleural effusion and in minimizing the formation of pleural thickening. Previously, we experienced often deterioration of tuberculous lesions in relation to the use of steroids. By the use of recent intensified chemotherapy, the harmful side effects of steroids became almost insignificant, and at the same time, treatment with steroids is needed only in a few cases.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1990

[Acute myelomonocytic leukemia with mastocytosis in bone marrow].

A 22-year-old female was admitted to our hospital because of general fatigue. The lymph nodes, liver and spleen were not palpable. She was without cutaneous lesions. Haematological examinations revealed leukocytes 3,200/microliters with 44% blasts of myelomonocytic origin, and platelets 15,000/microliters. Bone marrow smears were hypercellular marrow with 51% blasts of myelomonocytic origin and focal involvement of mast cells. Serum histamine and vitamin B12 level was high. Mast cells were round with rounded or segmented nuclei. The nucleoli were inconspicuous and the cytoplasm contained a number of metachromatic granules. Cytochemically, mast cells stained positive for alpha-naphthol-AS.D-chloroacetate esterase and acid phosphatase, and negative for peroxidase, Sudan black B and alpha-naphthyl butylate esterase. In toluidine blue staining, mast cells had stained similarly with pH values from 2.5 to 6.5. She was diagnosed as acute myelomonocytic leukemia with benign mastocytosis, and treated with BH.AC-DNP. A complete remission was obtained, but mast cells in the marrow did not decrease. Relationship between leukemia and mastocytosis was not known, but it was suggested that mast cells responded to the proliferation of the leukemic cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

cDNA cloning of Gb, the substrate for botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase from bovine adrenal gland and its identification as a rho gene product.

A 1.5 kilobase cDNA coding for the complete amino acid sequence of Gb, the substrate for ADP-ribosyltransferase in C1 and D botulinum toxins from bovine adrenal gland, has been isolated from a cDNA library of bovine adrenal gland. This cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 21,770 Da consisting of 193 amino acid residues, and the deduced amino acid sequence contains all the partial amino acid sequences reported previously (Narumiya, S., Sekine, A., and Fujiwara, M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem., 263, 17255-17257). Sequence comparison revealed that Gb is identical with the product of human rho clone 12 (rho A). The present results also confirmed our suggestion that the ADP-ribosylation occurs at Asn41 in the putative effector domain of the rho gene product.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1989

cDNA cloning and sequence determination of rat membrane-associated phospholipase A2.

Based on the partial amino acid sequences of membrane-associated phospholipase A2 (PLA2M), belonging to group II, purified from rat spleen, the cDNA encoding PLA2M was cloned by a new cloning strategy utilizing enzymatic cDNA amplification. At the N-terminus of the coded 146 residues, which were deduced from the cDNA sequence, the putative signal peptide was found despite the tight adherence of this enzyme to the membrane. The sequence of rat PLA2M exhibits 75% homology with that of human group II PLA2 in the protein-coding region. The result of RNA blot analysis showed that rat ileal mucosa contains the largest amount of the PLA2 transcript among the tissues examined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Presence of pancreatic-type phospholipase A2 mRNA in rat gastric mucosa and lung.

The content of mRNA for a pancreatic-type phospholipase A2 present in rat gastric mucosa was much greater than that in pancreas. In lung the mRNA for this pancreatic-type phospholipase A2 was also detected, but less than in pancreas. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that these pancreatic-type phospholipase A2 cDNAs derived from rat gastric mucosa and lung were completely identical to that from rat pancreas (Ohara et al. (1986) J. Biochem. 99, 733-739). This demonstrates that the pancreatic-type phospholipase A2 present in gastric mucosa and lung does not originate from pancreas.

Animals↗