Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Iguchi

Publications and source records attributed to K Iguchi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Hemodialysis effect on serum boron level in the patients with long term hemodialysis.

Serum and dialysate boron levels in 17 patients with long term hemodialysis (HD) were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICPES). Serum boron level was compared with the value of age matched 467 healthy controls and the relationship between serum and dialysate boron level was analyzed. The results showed that serum boron level was significantly higher at the beginning of HD, and lower at the completion of HD in comparison with controls. Although the dialysate was contaminated with trace boron, HD resulted in an excessive decrease of serum boron, rather than boron exposure from the dialysate. Boron hemodialyzability was almost proportional to the gradient of the boron level at the beginning of HD and it could be controlled by the adjustment of the gradient. In conclusion, the serum boron level was very much disturbed in long term HD patients. If boron excess in serum at the beginning of HD, or deficiency at the completion of HD may contribute to the complications of HD patients, fine adjustment and close surveillance of the gradient should be taken into account.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1996

New bioactive marine steroids from the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis.

Eight new marine steroids were isolated from the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis Quoy and Gaimard. Their structures were determined based on spectroscopic analysis, chemical conversion, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Steroids 5 and 6 showed growth inhibition activity toward HeLa S3 cells and human diploid cells in vitro.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Mite-specific induction of interleukin-2 receptor on T lymphocytes from children with mite-sensitive asthma: modified immune response with immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of immunotherapy is still controversial. To elucidate the mechanisms of immunotherapy, we studied mite-specific induction of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression on T lymphocytes from children with mite-sensitive asthma. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from 28 children with mite-sensitive asthma: 13 had never received house dust immunotherapy (nonimmunotherapy group), 15 had been receiving house dust immunotherapy at the time of the study (immunotherapy group). After a 6-day culture with or without Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) antigen, the expression of IL-2Rp55 (CD25) and p75 on CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The nonimmunotherapy group showed significant Df-specific CD25 induction on CD4+ T lymphocytes (delta CD4+ CD25+) but little induction on CD8+ T lymphocytes (delta CD8+ CD25+). delta CD4+ CD25+ was correlated with the severity of the disease. In the immunotherapy group delta CD8+ CD25+ was significantly higher than in the nonimmunotherapy group or in normal subjects and correlated with Df-specific IgG4 and cumulative doses of house dust extract, whereas delta CD4+ CD25+ was similar in the nonimmunotherapy and the immunotherapy groups. IL-2Rp75 was not induced either on CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that house dust immunotherapy may have induced Df-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with mite-sensitive asthma and that the efficacy of immunotherapy may be attributed to the generation of Df-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Purification and characterization of three extracellular protopectinases with polygalacturonase activities from Trichosporon penicillatum.

In a culture filtrate of Trichosporan penicillatum B2, which is a gamma-ray irradiation mutant induced from T. penicillatum SNO3, we found three kinds of pectin-releasing enzymes, protopectinases SE1, SE2, and SE3, that have endo-polygalacturonase activity. These enzymes were purified to homogeneity with cation-exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. The major PPase in the culture filtrate was PPase SE1, which accounted for 75% of total activities in the culture filtrate, and the two others were 0.15% (PPase SE2) and 0.007% (PPase SE3). Their molecular masses were approximately 41, 41, and 42 kDa on SDS-PAGE, respectively. They had similar enzymatic properties but different PPase activity and pH- and thermo-stability. Antibody against PPase S, which is produced by strain SNO3, inhibited the activities of PPase SE1, SE2, and SE3. However PPase SE1 was completely inhibited by treatment with the anti-PPase S antibody, but the activities of PPases SE2 and SE3 remained at 20 and 50% of the original activity, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[The relationship of eosinophil viability enhancing activity in sputum and clinical symptoms in asthma].

We studied the correlation of eosinophil viability enhancing activity (EVEA) in sputum from asthmatic children and clinical symptoms. Sputum from asthmatic children and equal volume of saline were mixed with a Vortex mixer and centrifuged at 40000 G. Clear supernatants were obtained and filtered with 0.22 micron membrane filter. Periphral blood eosinophils purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and CD16 negative selection/ immunomagnetic beads technique were incubated with sputum extract for 4 days. Eosinophil viability was examined by staining the cells with fluorescen diacetate and propidium iodide and expressed as eosinophil viability enhancing activity (EVEA). Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) concentrations in sputum were also measured by a radioimmunoassay. Correlation between EVEA in sputum and pulmonary functions, attack score, treatment score, or sputum ECP was determined by Spearman correlation test. Sputum EVEA was correlated 1) inversely with pulmonary functions on sampling, 2) with attack score of 2 weeks period before sampling, 3) with treatment score of 1 month to 1 week before and 1 to 2 weeks after sampling, and 4) with sputum ECP in individual cases. Sputum EVEA may serve as a suitable parameter for monitoring airway inflammation in asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1995

Mapping of cyclosporin A binding sites in cyclophilin A by using synthetic peptides.

In order to map cyclosporin A (CsA) binding sites of cyclophilin (CyP), we synthesized the complete set of overlapping 157 octapeptides corresponding to human CyP A using the multi-pin peptide synthesis system. The pin-coupled synthetic octapeptides were examined in terms of binding ability to CsA by a modification of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significant binding of CsA was detected with 35 synthetic N alpha-acetylated octapeptides possessing the N-terminal amino acids corresponding to the residues in positions 24-26, 42-44, 69-73, 75, 76, 89-91, 102, 116, 124-131, 144-151 and 152 in human CyP A, respectively. Other eight octapeptides showed moderate CsA binding activity. The distinct binding of octapeptides covering the C-terminal region of the CyP A was particularly significant. These data are to be compared with the information provided by X-ray and NMR studies on the CsA binding sites and furnish thus a test of the reported method. The present study also gave added insight into the CsA interaction sites of CyP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival and degranulation.

The effects of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival and degranulation were investigated in vitro to determine whether it is an inhibitory regulator of allergic inflammation. Peripheral blood eosinophils purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and the CD16 negative selection technique were incubated in the presence of eosinophil-activating cytokines (interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon (IFN)-gamma) with and without TFG-beta 1 for 1-3 days. On day 1, eosinophil protein X release was measured by radioimmunoassay. Eosinophil viability on day 3 was determined by staining the cells with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide, and on the same day DNA was extracted and subjected to gel electrophoresis to test for fragmentation. TGF-beta 1 significantly inhibited eosinophil survival enhanced by IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF and IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on IL-5-enhanced survival was partially reversed by high concentrations of IL-5 and was completely neutralized with anti-TGF-beta antibody. IL-5 inhibited DNA fragmentation of eosinophils in vitro. TGF-beta reversed the effect of IL-5, indicating that TGF-beta 1 activates the pathway of apoptosis. TGF-beta 1 significantly suppressed eosinophil protein X release induced by IL-5. These results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may play a role in the modulation of allergic inflammation.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1994

Aragusterol C: a novel halogenated marine steroid from an Okinawan sponge, Xestospongia sp., possessing potent antitumor activity.

A novel chlorinated steroid, aragusterol C, was isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge of the genus Xestospongia. The compound strongly inhibited the proliferation of KB cells in vitro, and also showed potent in vivo antitumor activity against L1210 cells in mice. The complete structure of aragusterol C was determined by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Structural elucidation of new phenolic glycolipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

From one clinical isolate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, two new phenolic glycolipids(PGLs) were obtained as its major PGLs. These were dimycocerosyl esters of 2,4-di-O-methyl-fucopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-2-O-methyl-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->)-phenolphthiocerol A and -phenolphthiotriol A, which were produced by this strain at a ratio of about 5:1. Another clinical isolate of this species was found to produce PGL-tb1 and its analogue, 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-fucopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->3)-2-O-methyl-rhamnopyranosyl-(alpha 1-->)-phenolphthiotriol A at a ratio of about 1:3. The fact that different strains of M. tuberculosis produce chemically different PGLs as their major PGLs may be related to the diversity of virulence of the clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1994

The assessment of fracture of the mandibular condyle by use of computerized tomography. Incidence of sagittal split fracture.

A survey was carried out to clarify the incidence of sagittal splitting fracture of the mandibular condyle using computerized tomography. There were 33 patients, between 11 and 67 years of age, with displaced or dislocated mandibular condylar process fractures (41 cases), seen at our clinic between 1986 and 1992. The incidence of no displacement was 4.9%; deviation and displacement, 34.1%; dislocation, 46.3%; and complete avulsion, 4.9%. A sagittal splitting fracture of condyle occurred with an incidence of 9.8%. Conservative treatment was effective in the treatment of sagittal splitting fracture. Therefore, classification of fracture of mandibular condyle should include the sagittal split fracture, and investigations should include computerized tomography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Dose-related protective efficacy of immunoglobulins in experimentally induced group B streptococcal infection.

This study investigates the dose-dependent effect of administration of commercially available intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) on the survival of newborn rats experimentally infected with group B streptococci (GBS). The opsonic activity of various concentrations of IVIG in vitro was determined by examination of opsonophagocytosis of GBS by peritoneal macrophages and bacterial killing by blood neutrophils. The best survival was observed in newborn rats who received immunoglobulins at doses of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg of bodyweight. The survival of animals that received either 125 mg/kg or 2.5 g/kg of immunoglobulins was no better than that of animals who received no immunoglobulins. The maximal phagocytosis and bacterial killing were observed at in vitro immunoglobulin concentrations ranging from 32 to 250 mg/dL (these in vitro concentrations may correspond roughly to in vivo administration doses ranging from 150 to 1200 mg/kg). These doses are comparable to the doses of IVIG currently administered to neonates. However use of very high doses may be harmful to babies since the high concentration of non-specific immunoglobulins inhibited in vitro phagocytosis and bacterial killing by phagocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Fever of unknown origin: a review of 80 patients from the Shin'etsu area of Japan from 1986-1992.

In this survey involving 10 hospitals, we analyzed data on 80 Japanese patients from the Shin'etsu area (Nagano-ken and Niigata-ken) who were observed for fever of unknown origin (FUO). Our objectives were to identify the underlying causes and the relevant diagnostic methods. Fourteen of the patients died of the underlying illness. The cause of the FUO was infection in 43 patients, allergic or autoimmune disease in 13, neoplasm in 7, miscellaneous causes in 3, and undetermined in 14. FUO was self-limited in 13 patients and persistent in one patient. Methods successfully used to establish the final diagnosis in 66 patients were: evaluation of the clinical course or response to treatment in 16, serologic tests in 12, bacteriologic studies in 10, biopsy in 9, cytologic examination in 6, conventional radiology in 6, necropsy in 3, endoscopy in 2, and biochemical testing in 2.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Inhibitory effect of TGF-beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival].

TGF-beta 1 has many biological activities in various cell types and is regarded as a multifunctioning regulator of cell growth. We studied the effect of TGF-beta 1 on cytokine-enhanced eosinophil survival in vitro. Eosinophils were purified from patients with mild atopic dermatitis by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and the CD16 negative selection/immunomagnetic beads technique. Eosinophil purity was greater than 95%. The purified eosinophils were incubated in the presence of eosinophil-activating cytokines (IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma) with and without TGF-beta 1 for 3 days. Eosinophil viability was determined by staining the cells with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Without cytokine, most eosinophils died by day 3 in culture, but human recombinant IL-5, IL-3, GM-CSF, and IFN-gamma enhanced eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner. To test the effect of TGF-beta 1 on enhanced eosinophil survival, eosinophils were cultured with activating cytokine and TGF-beta 1. TGF-beta 1 inhibited eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of TGF-beta 1 on IL-5 enhanced survival was partially reversed by high concentrations of IL-5 and was completely neutralized with anti-TGF-beta antibody. Moreover, the apoptosis of eosinophils induced by TGF-beta 1 was determined with the assay of DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. It is possible that TGF-beta 1 activates the pathway of apoptosis. The results suggest that TGF-beta 1 may play a crucial role in the regulation of allergic inflammation.

Apoptosis↗