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Biomedical subjects

H Kanazawa

Publications and source records attributed to H Kanazawa.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Catabolite repression of the H(+)-translocating ATPase in Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Cells of Vibrio parahaemolyticus grown in the presence of glucose showed reduced (by about 40%) oxidative phosphorylation. With this observation as a basis, we examined the effect of glucose on the level of H(+)-translocating ATPase. The addition of glucose to the growth medium reduced the specific activity and the amount of the H(+)-translocating ATPase in membrane vesicles of V. parahaemolyticus. These reductions were reversed by adding cyclic AMP (cAMP) to the growth medium. We cloned some parts of the unc genes encoding subunits of the H(+)-translocating ATPase of V. parahaemolyticus by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Using an amplified DNA fragment, we carried out Northern (RNA) blot analysis and found that glucose reduced the mRNA level of the H(+)-translocating ATPase gene by about 40% and that cAMP restored it. We determined the DNA sequence of the unc promoter region of V. parahaemolyticus and found a consensus sequence for the cAMP receptor protein-cAMP-binding site. Such a sequence was also found in the promoter region of the unc operon of Vibrio alginolyticus but not in its counterpart in Escherichia coli. We observed a similar reduction in the level of ATPase due to glucose in V. alginolyticus. In E. coli, however, reductions in the ATPase and the unc mRNA levels were not observed. Thus, the unc operon is controlled by cAMP-regulated catabolite repression in V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus but not in E. coli. Catabolite repression of the unc operon in V. parahaemolyticus is not severe.

Base Sequence↗

The role of free radicals and neutrophil elastase in development of pulmonary emphysema.

Extracellular proteolysis is hypothesized to be the major cause of pulmonary emphysema and oxygen-derived free radicals and neutrophil elastase are thought to play an important role in its pathogenesis. In this study, peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) obtained from 16 patients with emphysema generated a significantly larger amount of superoxide and elastase activity than those obtained from normal controls. A significant correlation was observed between elastase activity and superoxide release. In addition, the superoxide release showed a negative correlation with the disease duration. The superoxide release appeared to correlated with a decline of FEV1.0 over the course of several years in 8 patients. It seems likely that activated PMNs play an important role in the development of pulmonary emphysema.

Aged↗

The effect of thyroid hormone on generation of free radicals by neutrophils and alveolar macrophages.

We have sometimes observed the case of bronchial asthma accompanied by hyperthyroidism. But the pathophysiological mechanisms of both diseases remain obscure. In this study, we have shown that thyroid hormone directly stimulated the generation of superoxide anion by neutrophils and alveolar macrophages. In addition, neutrophils incubated with thyroid hormone became activated and generated greater amount of superoxide anion in response to f-met-leu-phe (fMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Our study suggests, for the first time, that reactive oxygen species may play one of the most important roles in exacerbating asthma in hyperthyroid patients.

Adult↗

[Glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in infants with the left to right shunt congenital heart disease].

Between 1980 and 1988, 32 infants under three years of age with left to right shunt congenital heart disease underwent cardiac catheterizations, and their glucose tolerance and insulin secretion were investigated. These patients were divided into three groups by weight and compared. Group I consisted of 11 patients whose weights were 80% or more of the ideal body weight (IBW) for their age. Group II consisted of 10 patients whose weights were between 70% and 80% of the IBW. Group III consisted of 11 patients whose weights were less than 70% of the IBW. The CTR and biochemical blood studies showed no difference. By cardiac catheterization, Group III showed higher pulmonary/systemic vascular pressure ratio (Pp/Ps) than Group I. The mixed venous O2 saturation (SvO2) were 69.5 +/- 6.41% in Group I, 64.8 +/- 5.78% in Group II, 57.2 +/- 3.59% in Group III. Group III showed the lowest SvO2 of the three. Group III also showed the lowest arterial O2 saturation (SaO2). This indicates that the patients of Group III had the most serious congestive heart failure. In the 0.5 g/kg intravenous glucose tolerance tests, the K values (glucose disappearance rates) were as follows: Group I: 3.30 +/- 0.597, Group II: 2.91 +/- 0.624, Group III: 2.48 +/- 0.417. Group III showed the lowest values of the three. This indicates the deterioration of glucose tolerance in Group III. In the examination of serum insulin secretion, Group III showed the lowest serum insulin levels: 26.6 +/- 18.3 mmu/ml at 3-minute intervals, 22.8 +/- 14.3 mmu/ml at 5-minute intervals. After cardiac catheterization, corrective operations were performed on 17 patients out of 32. Fifteen patients survived, though 2 patients of Group III died early postoperatively. The results of glucose tolerance test and serum insulin levels before and after operation in 12 survivors were compared. Although the K values had been 2.8 +/- 0.41 before operation, it rose up to 3.81 +/- 0.81 three to four weeks after operation. The serum insulin levels at 3, 5, 10 and 15-minute intervals also rose after operation. This indicates the improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin secretion due to the improved circulation. It is suggested that the adequate nutritional management before and after operation on infants with serious congestive heart failure, because they tend to have malnutrition before operation. Aggressive and careful nutritional management is advisable.

Blood Glucose↗

[Results of surgical repair by muscle flap closure for poststernotomy mediastinitis].

Between 1984 and 1991, 30 patients developed poststernotomy mediastinitis after cardiac or mediastinal operations. Sixteen of these patients were treated with debridement and open drainage or primary closure following mediastinal irrigation (drainage group). Fourteen patients were treated with debridement, and delayed or primary wound closure by the technique of pectoral or rectus abdominus muscle flap mobilization (muscle flap group). The purpose of this study was to compare the results of the different treatment of poststernotomy mediastinitis. Although the pre- and perioperative profile, complications and risk factors for mediastinal infection were the same, the mortality of muscle flap group was significantly lower than that of drainage group (Fisher exact probability test, p < 0.05). Pulmonary function of the patients who received muscle flap mobilization did not decrease from the function before surgery, despite the defect of sternal bony stabilization. We conclude that muscle flap mobilization may be a superior method as the treatment for poststernotomy mediastinitis after cardiac operations, and may not decrease respiratory function of the patients.

Abdominal Muscles↗

[Dyspnea and ventilatory muscle function during exercise on air and oxygen breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)].

Exercise performance and dyspnea in COPD patients have been shown to be improved with supplemental oxygen, although the exact mechanisms resulting in the improvement are still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship between ventilatory muscle function and sensation of dyspnea (modified Borg Scale) during exercise on 20% O2 and 30% O2. Eight patients with COPD (FEV1 1.06 L +/- 0.30 L) exercised on a treadmill two times breathing compressed air or 30% oxygen with a one hour rest in between. The electrical activity of the diaphragm (EMGdi) was recorded with esophageal electrodes, and that of the sternomastoid muscle (EMGsm) was recorded from the fine wire electrodes. The ratio of high frequency (150 to 350 Hz) to low frequency (20 to 47 Hz) power (H/L) of EMGdi was analyzed to assess diaphragmatic fatigue, which was defined as a 20% fall of H/L ratio from the control value. Flow, volume, O2 Saturation (SaO2), esophageal pressure (Pes) and transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) were measured. Tension time index (TTdi) was calculated from Pdi and the ratio of inspiratory time to total time for one cycle (Ti/Ttot). At rest, we measured maximal esophageal pressure (Pesmax), maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax), maximal integrated EMGdi (EMGdimax) and EMGsm (EMGsmmax). Incremental exercise was discontinued by dyspnea. The walking distance achieved was increased in all patients on 30% O2. Dyspnea and desaturation were significantly improved on 30% O2 breathing, and the onset of diaphragmatic fatigue was delayed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

[A surgical repair of complete endocardial cushion defect associated with single atrium, persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium, hemiazygos connection and double orifice mitral valve].

Successful surgical repair of a 1-year-old girl of complete endocardial cushion defect associated with single atrium, persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium, hemiazygos connection and double orifice mitral valve was reported. We repaired the endocardial cushion defect by using an endocardial cushion prosthesis and a new atrial septum was created to allow the left superior vena cava draining into the right atrium. We made no treatment for the accessory mitral valve orifice because of no regurgitation.

Azygos Vein↗

[Surgery of vascular rings associated with complex intracardiac anomaly].

Two rare cases with surgically treated vascular ring associated with complex congenital cardiac anomaly are reported. Each case showed vascular ring due to right aortic arch, right descending aorta, aberrant left subclavian artery and left ductus arteriosus. Case 1 was a 2-year-old boy associated with ligamentum arteriosum and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), and presented dyspnea and dysphagia. Case 2 was a 3-year-old girl associated with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In case 1, the two-staged operation was performed because of the necessity of mechanical ventilation and of recurrent respiratory infection. Division of the ligamentum, dissection of bronchus and esophagus was performed at the first operation through left thoracotomy, and the intracardiac repair of TAPVC was done three months later. In case 2, PDA division and the intracardiac repair of TOF was done simultaneously through median sternotomy because of the mild symptom of vascular ring and technical feasibility. Each case was successfully treated and became completely asymptomatic.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Developmentally and regionally regulated alterations of octamer- and GC-box-binding activities during the postnatal development of mouse cerebellum.

Gel-mobility analyses using a DNA probe containing the SV40 enhancer-promoter revealed that the DNA-binding activities of cerebellar extracts changed drastically during the postnatal development of mouse brain. Three major DNA-protein complexes formed on the 72-bp enhancer (complexes E-I, E-II and E-III) were detected in the extracts prepared from the 2- and 10-day-old mouse cerebellum, but two of them (complexes E-II and E-III) were not detected in 3- and 7-week-old mice. In contrast, the formation of the complexes E-II and E-III, but not E-I, was observed in the cerebral cortex extracts throughout postnatal development until at least 7 weeks after birth. The addition of the octamer motif as a competitor abolished the formation of these three complexes. On the other hand, the formation of DNA-protein complexes on the 21-bp promoter by the cerebellar extracts increased after birth, while this increase in the formation of the complexes was not detected in the cerebral cortex extracts. This complex formation was found to be dependent upon the GC-box and to be stimulated by the addition of Zn2+, indicating that the protein binding to the 21-bp promoter may contain intramolecular zinc fingers. Thus, the expression of the octamer- and the GC-box-binding proteins are developmentally and regionally controlled in the cerebellum during the postnatal development of the mouse brain.

Animals↗

Response of the taste receptor cell to the umami-substance stimulus. An electron-microscopic study.

The chemosensory gustatory cells in taste buds form chemical synapses with intragemmal neurites. We investigated the ultrastructure of the guinea pig gustatory cells after stimulation with a mixture of monosodium L-glutamate and guanosine 5'-monophosphate. The gustatory cells responded to the stimulus. The dense-cored vesicles localized in the presynaptic regions discharged the contents into the synaptic cleft by means of exocytosis, which resulted in a marked decrease of their population. These findings strongly suggest that the transmitter or transmitters contained in the vesicles are released in response to the taste stimulation at the cell apex, to conduct the excitement of the cell to the nerves.

Animals↗

Sequence analysis of nutA gene encoding membrane-bound Cl(-)-dependent 5'-nucleotidase of Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

The membrane-bound 5'-nucleotidase of Vibrio parahaemolyticus is unique in requiring Cl- for activity. We cloned the nutA gene encoding the 5'-nucleotidase and sequenced it. It contained an open reading frame consisting of 1,680 nucleotides capable of encoding a protein of 560 amino acid residues. The first 21 amino acid residues of the N-terminal portion of this protein seem to be a signal peptide. The rest of the polypeptide (539 residues) is hydrophilic, and its molecular weight was calculated to be 60,008, which is in good agreement with the value of 63 kDa determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the 5'-nucleotidase derived from the cloned nutA gene. We tried to determine the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal portion of the purified enzyme. However, the N-terminal residue seemed to be blocked. As this 5'-nucleotidase can be solubilized from membrane vesicles with detergent, it may be a lipoprotein. The amino acid sequence around the possible cleavage site of the 5'-nucleotidase had homology with the sequences of the cleavage sites of the lipoproteins of Escherichia coli and other bacteria. The amino acid sequence had high (about 60%) homology with the sequence of periplasmic 5'-nucleotidase (uridine diphosphate sugar hydrolase, the product of the ushA gene) of E. coli. It also contained regions that showed some homology with the nucleotide binding sites of many nucleotide binding proteins.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

The role of free radicals in airway obstruction in asthmatic patients.

Neutrophils from asthmatic patients seem to be in an activated state. This study demonstrated that superoxide radical (O2-) production was enhanced in asthmatic patients compared with healthy control subjects. Production of (O2-) also increased with progression of disease and with disease duration. In addition, (O2-) release was inversely correlated with FEV1 and midflows and was greater in neutrophils from patients with exacerbated disease than in those from patients with stable disease. These findings suggest that oxygen metabolites may play a direct or indirect role in the modulation of airway inflammation.

Adult↗

[Antitumor effects of newly synthesized analogues of platinum (NK121) and bleomycin (NK313) in nude mice implanted human tumor].

In order to exploit the optimal administration schedules of newly synthesized analogues of cisplatin (NK121) and bleomycin (NK313), antitumor effects of three different injection schedules, namely (A) an injection every fourth day for 3 times in 9 days, (B) once daily injection for 9 days, and (C) continuous infusion for 5 days, were examined in nude mice bearing human squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor growth delay was employed as an experimental endpoint. Antitumor effects of both analogues showed schedule dependencies showing the highest effect with schedule (A) of NK121 and schedule (C) of NK313, respectively. In the combination chemotherapy of NK121 with NK313, the highest antitumor effect was observed when mice were given NK121 by schedule (A) followed by NK313 by schedule(C). This combination sequence also was less toxic with respect to the change of the body weight, while simultaneous treatment was with weak clinical significance because of its low antitumor activity and severe toxicity.

Animals↗

[Effect of glucagon and insulin on the histochemical and functional alterations in the Langerhans islands after hepatectomy in dogs].

Changes of Langerhans islands after 40% hepatectomy, and effects of GI therapy on the islets were investigated in dogs. In control group, one week and four weeks after the hepatectomy, ivGTT was examined followed by a blood sampling from the portal vein to measure the changes of glucose, insulin and glucagon, and areal changes of the islets were measured. In GI group, the same experiment was done with added GI therapy after operation. The following results were obtained. 1) In control group, portal plasma insulin level and insulin response were decreased one week after surgery, and sizes of islets were enlarged four weeks after surgery. 2) In GI group, there were no decrease in portal plasma insulin level and insulin response one week after surgery, and no enlargement of the sizes of the islets four weeks after surgery. 3) Changes in glucagon level and glucagon response were same as those of insulin, glucose level and these response. There was no difference between the two groups. 4) According to these observation, glucagon and insulin are exhausted one week after hepatectomy in dogs. It seems to be necessary to provide the dog with glucagon and insulin after hepatectomy.

Animals↗

[Prospective controlled study of elective sclerotherapy plus oral propranolol for prevention of recurrent bleeding in cirrhotics with recent variceal hemorrhage].

In a prospective, randomized controlled trial, 43 patients with cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage were allocated after control of the bleeding to treat by elective sclerotherapy alone (n = 23) or by oral propranolol after elective sclerotherapy (n = 20). The dose of oral propranolol was based on a reduction of the resting pulse rate by 25%. The end points of the study were rebleeding or death. Both treatment groups were comparable with respect to origin and severity of liver disease, size of esophageal varices and portal pressure at entry. The mean follow up was 27 +/- 19 months for all patients. Patients treated sclerotherapy alone had more rebleeding (n = 11) did than those in the sclerotherapy plus propranolol (n = 3). The cumulative percentages of patients free of rebleeding 1 and 2 years after inclusion were 77 and 66% in sclerotherapy alone, and 100 and 85% in sclerotherapy plus propranolol; the difference between the two groups was significant. No statistically significant effect on mortality was seen. These data support that oral propranolol after sclerotherapy reduces the risk of recurrent bleeding in cirrhotics treated elective sclerotherapy.

Administration, Oral↗