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Biomedical subjects

K Kodama

Publications and source records attributed to K Kodama.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Activation of mammalian DNA ligase I through phosphorylation by casein kinase II.

Mammalian DNA ligase I has been shown to be a phosphoprotein. Dephosphorylation of purified DNA ligase I causes inactivation, an effect dependent on the presence of the N-terminal region of the protein. Expression of full-length human DNA ligase I in Escherichia coli yielded soluble but catalytically inactive enzyme whereas an N-terminally truncated form expressed activity. Incubation of the full-length preparation from E. coli with purified casein kinase II (CKII) resulted in phosphorylation of the N-terminal region and was accompanied by activation of the DNA ligase. Of a variety of purified protein kinases tested, only CKII stimulated the activity of calf thymus DNA ligase I. Tryptic phosphopeptide analysis of DNA ligase I revealed that CKII specifically phosphorylated a major peptide also apparently phosphorylated in cells, implying that CKII is a protein kinase acting on DNA ligase I in the cell nucleus. These data suggest that DNA ligase I is negatively regulated by its N-terminal region and that this inhibition can be relieved by post-translational modification.

Amino Acids↗

Temporal increase in resting coronary blood flow causes an impairment of coronary flow reserve after coronary angioplasty.

Impaired coronary flow reserve immediately after coronary angioplasty may be attributed to an increase in resting coronary blood flow. To test this hypothesis we measured great cardiac venous flow (GCVF) at rest and during rapid atrial pacing before and immediately after angioplasty in 22 patients with significant narrowing of the left anterior descending artery and 12 patients (control group) with minimal narrowing. A follow-up (6 months) study was also done in seven patients. Immediately after angioplasty the coronary flow reserve (peak GCVF during pacing/resting GCVF) was not fully restored (1.5 +/- 0.36 before angioplasty, 1.76 +/- 0.42 after angioplasty, and 2.13 +/- 0.33 in the control group). Resting coronary vascular resistance (2.4 +/- 0.9 mm Hg/ml/min) was significantly decreased after angioplasty (2.0 +/- 0.8 mm Hg/ml/min), whereas coronary vascular resistance during rapid pacing was fully restored to normal. Resting hyperemia was restored 6 months later, whereas coronary vascular resistance during pacing was unaltered. In five patients, however, slight ischemic ST-T changes were observed during rapid pacing, even after successful angioplasty associated with a decrease in the lactate extraction ratio. These results indicate that the impaired coronary flow reserve immediately after angioplasty may be attributed mainly to the temporal but significant increase in resting coronary flow, although impaired coronary vascular response to augmented myocardial oxygen demand may also be partially involved.

Aged↗

Radical laser segmentectomy for T1 N0 lung cancer.

Over the last 40 months, 18 lung cancer patients with T1 N0 non-small cell lung carcinoma have been treated with radical laser segmentectomy. This innovative operative method consists of a combination of anatomical or nonanatomical segmentectomy by neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet laser parenchyma sparing with complete hilar lymph node dissection. Although the median follow-up period is too short, there is no local recurrence and no cancer deaths. There have been no major complications. Even deep-seated tumors can be resected with a clear safety margin using this method. Radical laser segmentectomy may be a useful adjunct to preserve normal lung tissue and to perform very radical resection.

Aged↗

Adverse effects of epinephrine in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction: analysis of ventriculo-arterial coupling.

We examined the response of ventriculo-arterial coupling to epinephrine in 19 patients with normal left ventricular function and with left ventricular dysfunction of various degrees using a conductance catheter. They were divided into three groups: group I, seven patients without left ventricular wall motion abnormality; group II, six patients with ejection fraction of 45-60%; group III, six patients with ejection fraction of 28-40%. Changes in the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (end-systolic elastance), the effective arterial elastance, the ratio of effective arterial elastance to end-systolic elastance and the ventricular work efficiency during administration of two different doses of epinephrine (0.05 and 0.1 micrograms/kg/min) were compared among the three groups. At baseline there were no significant differences among the three groups in the ratio of effective arterial elastance to end-systolic elastance, or ventricular work efficiency. At the lower dose of epinephrine, the mean ratio of effective arterial elastance to end-systolic elastance decreased and the mean ventricular work efficiency increased in any groups. At the higher dose of epinephrine the mean ratio of effective arterial elastance to end-systolic elastance further decreased and the mean ventricular work efficiency further increased in groups I and II. However, the mean ratio of effective arterial elastance to end-systolic elastance did not decrease but the mean ventricular work efficiency even decreased in group III. Thus, in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction, even a high dose of epinephrine does not modulate the ventriculo-arterial coupling to increase ventricular work efficiency.

Aged↗

Assignment of the gene encoding DNA ligase I to human chromosome 19q13.2-13.3.

The gene encoding DNA ligase I has been mapped on human chromosome 19 by analysis of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids informative for this chromosome and by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization. The DNA ligase I gene (LIG1) is localized to 19q13.2-13.3 and is distal to ERCC1, the most telomeric of three DNA repair genes on this chromosome.

Blotting, Southern↗

Surgical treatment for chest wall recurrence of breast cancer.

From 1977 to 1987, 23 patients with isolated chest wall recurrence, excluding sternal metastasis, from breast cancer underwent full thickness chest wall resection. The 5-year survival rate after chest wall resection was 48% but the 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 26%. Mediastinal metastasis was proved histologically at the time of chest wall resection in 7 patients, and survival period with mediastinal involvement was significantly (P less than 0.01) shorter than that with no mediastinal involvement (n = 16). In 17 patients with a long disease-free interval (DFI greater than or equal to 24 months), survival was longer than in 6 patients with a short DFI (less than 24 months). For the selected patients without mediastinal involvement and long DFI, surgical treatment for chest wall recurrence of breast cancer should play a significant role in improving the quality of life, and even in prolonging the survival rate.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Assessment of upper and lower extremity movements in hemiplegic children.

Upper and lower extremity movements were assessed in 26 children with spastic hemiplegia according to the modified Brunnstrom method. Of the upper extremity movements, supinating the forearm was most difficult, followed in order by pronating the forearm, flexing the shoulder to 90 degrees, flexing the shoulder to 180 degrees, abducting the shoulder to 90 degrees or putting the hand on the lumbar spine, putting the hand behind the ipsilateral ear (flexor synergy), and putting the hand on the contralateral knee (extensor synergy). The extensor and flexor synergies were easier than the other movements in the hemiplegic children as well as in hemiplegic adults, but the order of difficulty in the other movements in children was not the same as in adults. The difficulty in the lower extremity movements was uniform in the subjects. None of the children could dorsi-flex the ankles and many could not rotate the hips internally. A small number of the children could not flex the knees or perform straight leg raising. All children could flex the hips and knees, extend the hips and knees, and abduct the hips. The difficulty in isolated hip abduction and flexion was less prominent in the hemiplegic children, compared to in hemiplegic adults.

Adolescent↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of nm23 gene product/NDP kinase expression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma: lack of prognostic value.

Levels of nm23 gene product/nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase) expression have been demonstrated to correlate inversely with metastatic potential in several tumours, indicating that this could be a useful tool as a prognostic indicator. Using an antibody to NDP kinase, levels of nm23 gene product/NDP kinase expression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma were examined immunohistochemically. Of 88 patients tested, 39 (44%; Group B) showed strong immunoreactivity for NDP kinase in most of cancer cells within the tumour tissues, while 49 (56%; Group A) contained few or no NDP kinase-positive cancer cells. Nm23 gene product/NDP kinase was expressed independently of clinicopathological factors, and unexpectedly, no correlation of survival rates between both Groups could be demonstrated. Thus, in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, levels of nm23 gene product/NDP kinase expression may lack prognostic value.

Adenocarcinoma↗

An evaluation of the prognostic significance of alpha-1-antitrypsin expression in adenocarcinomas of the lung: an immunohistochemical analysis.

Expression of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) in tumour cells of 102 surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas was examined by immunohistochemical method using anti-AAT antiserum. While only 13 cases (13%) were negative for AAT expression, 89 cases (87%) contained AAT at varying degrees. The degree of AAT-positive tumour cells was significantly higher in advanced cases than in early cases. Clinical follow-up study of the patients, particularly in stage I, showed that strongly AAT-positive cases have poor prognosis than weak-to-moderately AAT-positive or AAT-negative cases. Thus, AAT expression status in tumour cells of lung adenocarcinoma may be a biological marker of prognostic significance in regard to tumour growth.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Susceptibility of Pseudomonas species to the novel antibiotics mureidomycins.

Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including imipenem- or ofloxacin-resistant clinical isolates, and some other species in the genus Pseudomonas were inhibited by novel antibiotics of the mureidomycin (MRD) group. On the other hand, almost all other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were resistant to MRDs, though the antibiotics potently inhibited the in vitro peptidoglycan synthesis of Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa. All of the strains in the genus Pseudomonas that were inhibited by less than or equal to 200 micrograms of MRDs per ml were classified into the rRNA groups I and III, and none of the tested strains of rRNA group I were resistant to MRDs, suggesting that these two groups are closely related to each other evolutionary. Among group I strains, P. aeruginosa, P. mendocina, P. stutzeri, and P. alcaligenes were more susceptible than the others, suggesting a closer relationship among these species.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Role of atrial contraction and synchrony of ventricular contraction in the optimisation of ventriculoarterial coupling in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of pacing modes on the interaction between the left ventricle and arterial system in humans. DESIGN: The slope of the end systolic pressure-volume relation (end systolic elastance), effective arterial elastance, the ratio of effective arterial elastance to end systolic elastance, and mechanical energy efficiency were compared under different pacing modes (atrial, atrioventricular, and ventricular). PATIENTS: Nine male patients with sick sinus syndrome who had cardiac catheterisation for diagnosis and to see whether they needed a pacemaker. INTERVENTIONS: A conductance catheter with tip-manometer was inserted into the left ventricle to obtain pressure-volume loops, and two pacing catheters were inserted into the right atrium and into the right ventricle respectively. RESULTS: End systolic elastance was lower in atrioventricular pacing than in atrial pacing, but effective arterial elastance was not significantly different. End systolic elastance was lower in ventricular pacing than in atrioventricular pacing, and effective arterial elastance was higher in ventricular pacing than in atrioventricular pacing. Consequently the ratio of effective arterial elastance to end systolic elastance was lowest in atrial pacing and highest in ventricular pacing, and mechanical energy efficiency was highest in atrial pacing and lowest in ventricular pacing. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial contraction and synchronous ventricular contraction independently optimise ventriculoarterial coupling in terms of a transfer of energy. Thus atrial pacing gives the best ventriculo-arterial coupling among these pacing modes.

Adult↗

The suprascapular nerve as re-interpreted by its communication with the phrenic nerve.

A particular nerve bundle which may be called phrenicosuprascapular communication is, although only rarely, met with in various forms in man. By teasing, fibres of this communication are revealed to belong to the most anterior components of the brachial plexus, being closely associated with anterior nerves such as the phrenic, accessory phrenic, subclavius and even pectoralis. It is, therefore, obvious that the nervus suprascapularis conveys anterior fibres. It may be interpreted that the anteriormost nerve fibres may be separated from the main cord(s) and form an irregular network or plexus for themselves. It should be stressed that the n. suprascapularis consists of all the anterior components of the brachial plexus and that this is an anterior nerve.

Brachial Plexus↗

Imbalance between thrombin and plasmin activity in disseminated intravascular coagulation. Assessment by the thrombin-antithrombin-III complex/plasmin-alpha-2-antiplasmin complex ratio.

We investigated the imbalance between thrombin and plasmin activity in vivo with various grades of severity of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in relation to the underlying diseases. Plasma thrombin-antithrombin-III complex (TAT) and plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin complex (PAP) levels were measured in 133 blood samples obtained from patients with DIC. The TAT/PAP ratio was higher in patients with sepsis or solid cancer than in those with hematologic malignancies. In acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the TAT levels were the highest, but the PAP levels were even higher and the TAT/PAP ratio was the lowest. As for the severity of DIC, in mild DIC, both thrombin and plasmin activities were increased. In moderate DIC, the TAT/PAP ratio increased, and thrombin activity was much more predominant. However, in severe DIC, the ratio decreased, and plasmin activity became excessive. In 3 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia, APL and pancreatic cancer, respectively, the PAP level remained high during heparin therapy although the TAT level was decreased. When tranexamic acid was given, the PAP level was selectively reduced, and the TAT/PAP ratio was markedly decreased along with clinical improvement. These results indicate that monitoring of the TAT/PAP ratio may contribute to decisions regarding the institution and performance of combination therapy for DIC using anticoagulants and antifibrinolytic agents.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immunohistochemical analysis of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor expression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma: its possible participation in scar formation of the tumor tissues.

The expression of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI) was examined immunohistochemically in pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Of 86 carcinomas examined, 65 (76%) showed immunoreactivity for PSTI. Cases with the papillary subtype and those with early stage disease contained PSTI in cancer cells more frequently and were more strongly positive. There was a slight tendency to strong expression of PSTI in cases with the histologically well-differentiated type, tumor size of approximately 30 mm maximum diameter, and marked scar formation. Furthermore, 37 cases, which were the majority of the PSTI-positives, appeared to contain PSTI predominantly in cancer cells within the central or subpleural scar tissue and/or its surrounding tissue. Thus, pulmonary adenocarcinoma may commonly express PSTI and, considering previous reports that PSTI acts as a growth factor-like substance on fibroblasts in vitro in addition to the present findings of its immunohistochemical distribution in the tumor tissues, it is suggested that PSTI expressed in cancer cells of some pulmonary adenocarcinomas may possibly participate in tumor scar formation.

Adenocarcinoma↗