Effectiveness of a second course of cyclophosphamide therapy in children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome after cyclosporin A therapy.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
Biomedical subjects
K Kano
Publications and source records attributed to K Kano.
[Technological innovations for the 21st century: synthesis of optical and biotechnologies].
As the population ages in many developing countries, preventive-rather treatment-based medicine would be the key to improved and cost-effective health care in the 21st century. To accomplish this goal, we have developed a fully automated DNA assay system, called "optical rapid assay(ORA)" utilizing and combining micromachine and optical technologies. This system consists of innovative preparatory modules, a free flow electrophoresis for separation of DNA from other contaminants in the specimens, an extremely compact and effective microreactor for PCR, and two reflection null comparative ellipsometry for direct detection of hybridized target DNA without any labelled reagents. The total system will undoubtedly contributes to early diagnosis of serious infections such as viral hepatitis, and future standardization of DNA assays. Simultaneously, each module of the system provides a potential tool for R & D of DNA based diagnoses and therapies.
Automation↗
Urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroid sulfates in normal children and in children with atopic dermatitis or renal disease.
We measured both urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids(17-OHCS) and 17-ketosteroid sulfates(17-KS-S) in normal children and in children with some diseases to evaluate adaptation to stress in children. 17-OHCS and 17-KS-S values were measured in morning urine from 60 normal children(3-18 years old) and 24 children with atopic dermatitis or renal disease. In normal children, the 17-OHCS/creatinine showed no difference by age, but both 17-KS-S/creatinine and 17-KS-S/17-OHCS showed significant positive correlation with age. No sex differences were significant. In children with atopic dermatitis or with renal disease treated with cyclosporine A, 17-OHCS/creatinine was significantly higher and the 17-KS-S/17-OHCS ratio was significantly lower than in age-matched controls. These values returned to normal as the conditions improved or as treatment ended. In patients who underwent renal biopsy, both 17-OHCS/creatinine and 17-KS-S/creatinine values were significantly higher after biopsy than before because of the stress caused by pain and complete bed rest. Measurement of urinary 17-OHCS and 17-KS-S in children can be useful for evaluation of adaptation to stress as well as in adults.
17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
[Effect of new vitamin D analogues on phosphate metabolism].
I describe the effect of new vitamin D analogues, that is 1alpha,24R (OH)(2)D(3), 22-oxacalcitriol, 1alpha,25 (OH)(2)D(3) injection which have been used clinically, 24R,25 (OH)(2)D(3) which was stopped in development, and 26,27-F(6)-1alpha,25 (OH)(2)D(3), and ED-71, 1alpha,25 (OH)(2)-16-ene-23-yne-D(3), and 1alpha,25 (OH)(2)-16-ene-23-yne-26,27-F(6)-D(3) which are under development, on phosphate metabolism. Examinations of these new vitamin D analogues on phosphate metabolism are insufficient, and we have to wait for the result of research in this field.
English Abstract↗
Kinetics and thermodynamics of activation of quinoprotein glucose dehydrogenase apoenzyme in vivo and catalytic activity of the activated enzyme in Escherichia coli cells.
Apo-glucose dehydrogenase existing in Escherichia coli is converted to the holoenzyme with exogenous pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and Mg(2+). Catalytic behaviour of the E. coli cells with the holoenzyme is characterized by a Michaelis-Menten-type equation with a catalytic constant of the cell and apparent Michaelis constants for D-glucose and an artificial electron acceptor added to the E. coli suspension. The catalytic constant is expressed as the product of the number of molecules of the enzyme contained in an E. coli cell (z) and the catalytic constant of the enzyme (k(cat)), which were determined to be 2.2x10(3) and 6.8+/-0.8x10(3) s(-1) (phenazine methosulphate as an electron acceptor) respectively. Kinetics of the in vivo holoenzyme formation can be followed by an enzyme-electrochemical method developed by us. The rate constants for the reactions of apoenzyme with PQQ (k(f,PQQ)) and with Mg(2+) (k(f,Mg)) were determined to be 3.8+/-0.4x10(4) M(-1).s(-1) and 4. 1+/-0.9 M(-1).s(-1) respectively. Equilibrium constants for the binding of apoenzyme to PQQ and Mg(2+) were determined as the dissociation constants K(d,PQQ(Mg)) and K(d,Mg) to be 1.0+/-0.1 nM and 0.14+/-0.01 mM respectively. The dissociation constants for Ca(2+) were also determined. The holoenzyme, once formed in E. coli, returns gradually to the apoenzyme in the absence of PQQ and/or Mg(2+) in solution. EDTA was effective to remove Mg(2+) from the enzyme in the cells to deactivate the enzyme completely, while PQQ remained in the E. coli cells.
Catalysis↗
Complexation of polyvalent cyclodextrin ions with oppositely charged guests: entropically favorable complexation due to dehydration.
Thermodynamic parameters for complexation of polyvalent cyclodextrin (CD) cation and anion with oppositely charged guests have been determined in D2O containing 0.02 M NaCl by means of 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Protonated heptakis(6-amino-6-deoxy)-beta-CD (per-NH3+-beta-CD) forms stable inclusion complexes with monovalent guest anions. The enthalpy (deltaH) and entropy changes (deltaS) for complexation of per-NH3+-beta-CD with p-methylbenzoate anion (p-CH3-Ph-CO2-) are 3.8 +/- 0.7 kJ mol(-1) and 88.6 +/- 2.2 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The deltaH and deltaS values for the native beta-CD-p-CH3-Ph-CO2- system are -8.6 +/- 0.1 kJ mol(-1) and 15.3 +/- 0.7 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters clearly indicate that dehydration from both the host and guest ions accounts for the entropic gain in inclusion process of p-CH3-Ph-CO2- into the per-NH3+-beta-CD cavity. The fact that the neutral guests such as 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene and p-methylbenzyl alcohol hardly form the complexes with per-NH3+-beta-CD exhibits that van der Waals and/or hydrophobic interactions do not cause the complexation of the polyvalent CD cation with the monovalent anion. The acetate anion is not included into the per-NH3+-beta-CD cavity, while the butanoate and hexanoate anions form the inclusion complexes. The complexation of the alkanoate anions is entropically dominated. Judging from these results, it may be concluded that Coulomb interactions cooperated with inclusion are required for realizing the large entropic gain due to extended dehydration. Entropically favorable complexation was also observed for the anionic CD-cationic guest system. The present study might present a general mechanism for ion pairing in water.
Anions↗
n-sigma charge-transfer interaction and molecular and electronic structural properties in the hydrogen-bonding systems consisting of p-quinone dianions and methyl alcohol.
Molecular and electronic structural properties of the hydrogen-bonded complexes of p-quinone dianions (PQ(2)(-)) were investigated by electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of PQ in MeCN combined with ab initio MO calculations. Hydrogen bonding between PQ(2)(-) and MeOH was measured as the continuous positive shift of the apparent second half-wave reduction potentials with increasing concentrations of MeOH. Detailed analyses of the behavior reveal that PQ(2)(-) forms the 1:2 hydrogen-bonded complexes at low concentrations of MeOH and the 1:4 complexes at high concentrations, yielding the formation constants. Temperature dependence of the formation constants allows us to yield the formation energy as 76.6 and 118.9 kJ mol(-)(1) for the 1:2 and 1:4 complex formation of the 1,4-benzoquinone dianion (BQ(2)(-)) with MeOH, respectively. These results show that the pi-dianions involving the quinone carbonyl groups exhibit very strong hydrogen-accepting ability. The longest wavelength band of the spectra of BQ(2)(-) and the chloranil dianion (CL(2)(-)) is assigned to the (1)B(3u) <-- (1)A(g) band mainly contributed from an intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) configuration. Hydrogen bonding allows the band of BQ(2)(-) and CL(2)(-) to be blue-shifted, depending on the strength of the hydrogen bonds. CNDO/S-CI calculations reveal that the blue shift is ascribed to stabilization of the ground state by the hydrogen bonding involving strong n-sigma-type CT interaction. The HF/6-31G(d) calculation results show that the structure of PQ(2)(-) is characterized by a lengthening of the C=O bonds and a benzenoid ring. The geometrical properties of the hydrogen-bonded complexes of PQ(2)(-) are a slight lengthening of the C=O bonds and a short distance of the hydrogen bonds. It is demonstrated that this situation is due to the strong n-sigma CT interaction in the hydrogen bonds. The results suggest that the differing functions and properties of biological quinones are conferred by the n-sigma CT interaction through hydrogen bonding of the dianions with their protein environment.
Anions↗
A Cu(II)-mediated C-H oxygenation of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands to form triangular Cu(II)3 complexes.
Two sterically hindered tris-pyridyl methane ligands, tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane (L1) and bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)pyridylmethane (L2), are newly synthesized. Under aerobic conditions, Ln (n = 1 or 2) reacts with CuX2 (X = Cl or Br), oxygenated at the methine position to LnOH or LnOMe. The former alcoholate ligand creates trinuclear Cu(II) complexes [Cu3(X)(LnO)3](PF6)2 [(X, n) = (Br, 1) 1, (C1, 1) 2, (Br, 2) 3, or (C1, 2) 4] in which the alkoxide oxygen atoms bridge copper centers. The crystal structures of 1-4 are presented along with their magnetic susceptibility data. The weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) centers in this trinuclear arrangement is due to weak interaction of the magnetic orbitals (dz2) which are oriented along three alternate sides in a hexagon of the Cu3O3 core in 1-4. Under anaerobic conditions, L1 reacts with CuBr2 to form a square pyramidal complex [CuL1Br2] (9) with the ligand facially capping. [Cu(Br)2(L1OMe)] (10) was obtained after the suspension of 9 in MeOH was stirred under air for 48 h. In the presence of cyclohexene, 9 is converted to [Cu(Br)(L1)]m (m = 1 or 2) 5 quantitatively to give trans- 1,2-dibromocyclohexane, indicating that Br2 is generated during the reaction. The FAB MS spectrum of [18O]-1 prepared by the reaction of L1 with CuBr2 under 18O2 shows that the ligand of [18O]-1 is L1(18O-.) L1(18OH), L1OCD3, and bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl) ketone were obtained from reaction of L1 with CuBr2 in CD3OD under 18O2. These results indicate that the origins of the O atom in L1OH and L1OMe are O2 and MeOH, respectively. On the basis of these results, a mechanism of the oxygenation of L1 in the present system will be proposed.
Journal Article↗
Protein redox potential measurements based on kinetic analysis with mediated continuous-flow column electrolytic spectroelectrochemical technique. Application to TTQ-containing methylamine dehydrogenase.
Kinetic determination of protein redox potentials with a mediated continuous-flow column electrolytic spectroelectrochemical technique (CFCESET) is described. In this method, the redox state of the mediator is completely regulated by the continuous-flow column electrolysis, and the homogeneous redox reaction between the mediator and a protein sample in the column is monitored spectroscopically at the downstream of the column. The protein/mediator reaction is in the pseudo-first-order kinetics, and then the rate equation is analytically solved. The kinetic analysis provides the protein redox potential as well as the homogeneous rate constant. In the kinetic measurements, equilibration of the system within the column is not required, which allows the use of increased kinds of mediators. This method was successfully applied to quinoprotein methylamine dehydrogenase containing tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) as a prosthetic group. The kinetic aspect is also valuable for the thermodynamic analysis with the mediated CFCESET. The half-life time of the kinetics can be utilized to optimize the system for the attainment of the equilibrated state within the column and can provide the assurance that the system is in equilibrium.
Electrochemistry↗
Indocyanine green angiographic features of choroidal rupture and choroidal vascular injury after contusion ocular injury.
PURPOSE: To report features of choroidal rupture and choroidal vascular injury after contusion ocular injury on indocyanine green angiography. METHODS: In a prospective study, nine patients (nine eyes) with choroidal rupture after ocular contusion underwent initial fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography within 19 days after trauma. Eyes that had a distinct abnormality of the retinal pigment epithelium were excluded from this study. Subtraction indocyanine green angiography was also performed. Follow-up fluorescein angiographic and indocyanine green angiographic findings were also studied. RESULTS: Initial ophthalmoscopic examination revealed subretinal hemorrhage in all nine eyes. In five of the nine eyes, choroidal rupture was not seen on initial ophthalmoscopic or fluorescein angiographic examination because it was hidden beneath the subretinal hemorrhage, but it was detected on subsequent examinations. In the remaining four eyes, choroidal rupture was observed by ophthalmoscopy at the time of initial examination, and these eyes exhibited hyperfluorescent streaks on fluorescein angiography in the region of the subretinal hemorrhage. On initial indocyanine green angiography of all nine eyes, observed hypofluorescent streaks became more obvious with time. For each eye, there were more hypofluorescent streaks on indocyanine green angiography than hyperfluorescent streaks on fluorescein angiography. In one eye, the location of indocyanine green leakage nearly coincided with the location of a hyperfluorescent streak on fluorescein angiography. In this case, crescentic streaks of hypofluorescence were seen on the temporal side of the subretinal hemorrhage on indocyanine green angiography, although choroidal rupture was not observed in that region by ophthalmoscopy or fluorescein angiography. In two of the nine eyes, indocyanine green angiography and the subtraction technique demonstrated disturbance of flow into choroidal vessels, especially at the choroidal rupture site. CONCLUSION: After ocular contusion injury, various features of choroidal rupture and choroidal vascular injury were observed on indocyanine green angiography. This technique may contribute to the diagnosis of choroidal rupture and to the understanding of the clinical course after injury.
Accidents, Traffic↗
Molecular characterization of pncA gene mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from China.
A sample of 35 pyrazinamide (PZA)-resistant and 30 PZA-susceptible clinical isolates recovered from Beijing and Taiyuan City, China were characterized by SSCP and sequence analysis for mutations in the pncA gene that encodes the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PZase. The purpose of this study was to understand the molecular basis and the characteristics of pncA gene mutations and its relation to PZA resistance in M. tuberculosis strains from China. Several mutations with base changes leading to amino acid substitutions were found in the PZA-resistant isolates. No mutations were seen in the 243 PZA-susceptible isolates. Among the 35 PZA-resistant isolates, 32 isolates (91.4%) had nucleotide substitutions, insertions and deletions that resulted in amino-acid substitution; or frameshifts in some strains. Other previously uncharacterized mutations were found as follows: Asn118->Thr, CG insertion at position 501; CC insertion at nucleotide position 403; a 8 base-pair deletion at start codon; Pro54->Thr; AG insertion at 368; Tyr41->His, Ser88->stop, and A insertion at nucleotide position 301. IS6110 subtyping revealed that each strain was unique; indicative of the epidemiologic independence of the isolates.
Adolescent↗
Degradation of pig cyclin B1 molecules precedes MAP kinase dephosphorylation during fertilisation of the oocytes.
Pig oocytes at metaphase II were activated by penetration of spermatozoa in cycloheximide-free and cycloheximide-containing fertilisation media. The precise nuclear stage, and the kinetics of degradation of cyclin B1 and dephosphorylation of MAP kinase were assessed after insemination. After maturation culture, 96% of oocytes reached metaphase II. At 6 h after insemination in cycloheximide-free medium, 68% of the oocytes were activated and had progressed to anaphase II or beyond. After 8 h, 89% of the oocytes were activated: a female pronucleus had formed and the heads of penetrating spermatozoa had enlarged and changed to male pronuclei. In the cycloheximide-containing medium, activation of oocytes started earlier than in cycloheximide-free medium. After 4 h, 43% of the oocytes were activated, and the percentage increased to 97% after 6 h. Pig cyclin B1 disappeared in the oocytes at 6 h after insemination in both cycloheximide-containing and cycloheximide-free media. Pig oocytes at metaphase II contained two types of MAP kinase--ERK 1 and ERK 2--in their active phosphorylated forms. At 8 h after insemination ERK 2 changed to the fast-migrating inactive form in the oocytes cultured in both cycloheximide-containing and cycloheximide-free media, although the shift-down was not complete. The change was delayed by 2 h after the degradation of cyclin B1 molecules. These results demonstrate that degradation of pig cyclin B1 molecules corresponds to the transition of the oocytes from metaphase II arrest to anaphase II/telophase II and was followed by MAP kinase dephosphorylation.
Animals↗
Ascorbate regeneration by the reduced form of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone, a strong growth stimulator for bifidobacteria.
Nonenzymatic reduction of dehydroascorbate into ascorbate by the reduced form (quinol form) of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, a strong growth stimulator for bifidobacteria, has been found. The bimolecular reaction rate constant was evaluated as 9 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) at pH 7.0. This reaction has been successfully coupled with enzymatic regeneration of the naphthoquinol by NAD(P)H in cell-free extracts of Bifidobacterium longum 6001. The overall reaction is a regeneration of NAD(P)(+) by dehydroascorbate [or a regeneration of ascorbate by NAD(P)H], in which the naphthoquinone/quinol redox couple functions as an electron transfer mediator. Kinetic study of the reduction of dehydroascorbate with related quinol compounds suggested the significance of the amino substituent of the naphthoquinol. A mechanism of the electron transfer from the quinol to dehydroascorbate is proposed, where the first step of the reaction is a nucleophilic addition of the C(2)-amino substituent of the naphthoquinol to the C(2)-position of dehydroascorbate to form a Schiff base intermediate.
Ascorbic Acid↗
Effects of combination therapy consisting of moderate-dose intravenous immunoglobulin G, pulsed methylprednisolone and pravastatin in children with steroid-resistant nephrosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anticholesteremic Agents↗
Postprandial hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats is due to abnormal increase in intestinal acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity.
Postprandial hyperlipidemia (PH) is recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The present study, involving rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, was performed to establish a PH model and to examine the relation between small intestinal acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity and serum lipid levels in the postprandial state. The small intestinal ACAT activities in normal rats during the experimental period were 4 to 5 pmol/mg protein per minute. In contrast, in the diabetic rats, the ACAT activities were 2 to 3 times higher than activities seen in normal rats from 7 to 21 days after the STZ injection in the absence of a high fat diet and hyperplasia in the gut. In an oral fat-loading test that used diabetic rats that had been injected with STZ (60 mg/kg) intravenously 14 days previously, the postloading changes in the serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were significantly greater in the diabetic rats than in normal rats. Single oral administration of (1s,2s)-2-[3-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-3-nonylureido]cyclohexane- 1-yl 3-[(4R)-N-(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1, 3-dioxane-4-carbonyl)amino]propionate (F-1394, 3 to 30 mg/kg), a potent ACAT inhibitor, suppressed the post-fat-loading elevation of serum TC levels in the diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner without affecting serum glucose levels. Furthermore, the small intestinal ACAT activity, serum TG levels, and lymphatic absorption of TC and TG in the rats that were administered F-1394 (30 mg/kg) were reduced by approximately 90%, 70%, 30%, and 15%, respectively. This is the first evidence that elevated ACAT activity in the gut, unlike hyperplasia and hyperphagia, induces PH in rats. Our results strongly suggest that F-1394 may be a potential treatment for PH in humans.
Animals↗
Optical resolution of (+/-)-1-aryl-1-alkanols using enantioselective transesterification by lipases.
Enantioselective transesterification of 1-phenyl-1-alkanols (PhCH(OH)(CH2)n-2CH3; n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18) with vinyl acetate catalyzed by lipases in benzene has been studied to find the catalyst which is generally used for preparing optically active 1-phenyl-1-alkanols having various alkyl chains. Amongst lipases examined (lipases LIP, PS, AK, CAL and RML), the lipase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (LIP) is the best catalyst which shows high reactivity and enantioselectivity and low substrate specificity. The rate of the LIP-catalyzed transesterification decreases with increasing the alkylchain length till n = 4. The catalysis of LIP recovers again toward the alkanols with n = 5-18. Other lipases do not exhibit such an effect of alkyl-chain length and show very poor or no catalysis for the alkanols with n > or = 4. LIP is also the best catalyst for the enantioselective transesterification of 1-(1-naphthyl)-, 1-(2-naphthyl)- and 1-(1-pyrenyl)-1-propanols. Each optically pure 1-aryl-1-alkanol was isolated by the present method.
Alcohols↗