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Biomedical subjects

K Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Nishimura.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

[Study of a new endogenous inhibitor of enkephalin-degrading enzymes; pharmacological function and metabolism of spinorphin].

Spinorphin, a potent inhibitor of enkephalin degrading enzyme isolated from the bovine spinal cord, produces a dose-related inhibition of electrically evoked contractions of both MVD (mouse vas deferens) and GPI (guinea-pig ileum). Analgesic activity of Spinorphin was evaluated by the tail pinch method. The intraventricularly injected Spinorphin produced antinociceptive effect in a dose-dependent manner, in dose of 50-200 micrograms.mouse-1. Most Spinorphin was degraded when incubated in the spinal cord for 24 hs. However, approximately 86% of the Spinorphin was intact on HPLC when incubated with probestin, which is an inhibitor of aminopeptidase-M. Spinorphin has a high inhibitory activity against enkephalin degrading enzymes when compared to the various hydrolysis products. In conclusion, the most important structure for enkephalin inhibitory activity in Spinorphin. It is suggested that Spinorphin acts as a neuromodulator of enkephalin metabolism in the spinal cord.

Animals

[Successful treatment of fungal endocarditis and mediastinitis after fenestrated Fontan operation--a case report].

Fenestrated Fontan operation was performed in a 19-year-old male with a diagnosis of right isomerism syndrome. Postoperatively, fungal endocarditis due to Candida Albicans and mediastinitis by Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) occurred. For Candida endocarditis, combined surgery and medical treatment with amphotericin B was effective. MRSA mediastinitis was successfully treated by continuous closed irrigation with 0.5% povidone-iodine solution. This is the 17th reported case of fungal endocarditis after open heart surgery in Japanese literature.

Adult

Metabolic analysis of latissimus dorsi coupled to a mock circulation.

A mock circulation system has been used to examine the metabolic and hemodynamic responses of untrained and trained latissimus dorsi muscle in a normal animal model. The metabolic response of untrained latissimus dorsi to differing stimulation regimes runs parallel to its mechanical performance. The ratio of power generated to oxidative capacity (a measure of metabolic efficiency) was maintained to a greater extent in muscle trained for 5 months subjected to specific fatigue tests, falling by only 20% (as opposed to 80% observed in untrained control muscle). This approach to studying metabolic and hemodynamic performance may have relevance when skeletal muscle is used for cardiac assistance.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Diffuse lung disease: pathologic basis for the high-resolution computed tomography findings.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) allows accurate assessment of the pattern and distribution of diffuse lung diseases. Optimal interpretation of the HRCT images requires understanding of some basic concepts of normal anatomy, as well as the pathologic basis for the HRCT findings in diffuse lung disease. This review summarizes our experience with over 400 radiologic-pathologic correlations in diffuse lung disease. These correlations include contact radiography with stereo views and stereomicroscopic images of lung specimens. We describe our technique to inflate and fix the lung specimens and illustrate normal and abnormal lung morphology.

Humans

A case of primary localized amyloidosis of urethra.

Amyloidosis of the urethra is a rare disease. The clinical appearance resembles carcinoma of the urethra, so that biopsy is required to make the appropriate diagnosis. Once primary localized amyloidosis of the urethra has been diagnosed, selection of the appropriate treatment for each case becomes important. We report a case of primary localized amyloidosis in the male anterior urethra. This case was treated successfully with urethral dilatation.

Amyloidosis

[Surgical treatment of type A aortic dissection combined with aortic root lesions].

From January 1980 to December 1992, 36 patients with type A aortic dissection were operated on at the St. Marianna University Hospital. Hospital mortality and 10-year survival rate in 26 patients (Group I and II) undergoing replacement of the ascending aorta with or without hemi-arch resection (including one case of aortic wrapping for the closing dissection) were 19.2% and 88.0%, respectively. Among the patients having aortic root destructions due to acute aortic dissection or preexisting annuloaortic ectasia (Group III), 8 patients underwent aortic root reconstruction with a valved conduit and 2 patients supra-coronary aortic resection and graft replacement with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with 20.0% of hospital mortality and 55.6% of 10-year cumulative survival rate. Modified Bentall operation using Carrel patch method seems to be preferable to avoid postoperative complications for the case with intimal tear extending to the aortic sinuses, ruptured outer layer of the aortic root or preexisting AAE. If the disrupted coronary artery is concerned, coronary artery bypass grafting is mandatory. In the case of replacement of the ascending aorta for the dissection extending to the aortic sinuses, complete obliteration of the proximal false lumen must be required to avoid uncontrollable bleeding and compromised coronary blood flow.

Adult

[Cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis cured by methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE) combined with EST].

A 70-year old male patient was admitted to hospital with fever and right upper quadrant pain. Ultrasonography and cholecystography revealed acute cholecystitis associated with multiple stones not only in the gallbladder but also in the common bile duct. Percutaneous trans-gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was performed because of his persisting complaints and severe inflammatory change of the gallbladder. Operation was not considered due to his cardiac problem, so we tried direct dissolution treatment of the gallstones by using Methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE) through the percutaneous transhepatic catheter. Following maximal aspiration of the gallbladder contents, same amount of MTBE was infused into and the patient was kept in the right-side-down position for an hour. After 30 times of MTBE treatment, all stones in the gallbladder were thoroughly dissolved without any side effect. A residual stone in the common bile duct was easily taken out by endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Aged

Anterior chamber reaction after mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil trabeculectomy: a comparative study.

We measured aqueous flare in 16 glaucomatous eyes after trabeculectomy in which 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or mitomycin C (MMC) had been used as an adjunctive therapy. The eyes were divided into a 5-FU and an MMC group, matched for factors that might influence the postoperative inflammatory response to intraocular surgery. Seven eyes of seven patients received subconjunctival injections of 5-FU (50 mg in 2 weeks) and nine eyes of nine patients were given 0.2 mg/0.5 mL MMC intraoperatively. The aqueous flare converted to an albumin concentration (mg/dL) was significantly higher in the 5-FU group than in the MMC group (359.6 +/- 113.8 mg/dL and 143.2 +/- 46.7 mg/dL, respectively; Mann-Whitney U test, P < .05) on the second postoperative day. Intraoperative MMC appears to be no more harmful to the blood-aqueous barrier than 5-FU.

Anterior Chamber

[Clinical experience of percutaneous renal cyst puncture in recent six years].

Ultrasound-guided renal cyst puncture of 69 renal cysts was performed in our department, between April, 1986 and March, 1992. The indications for this procedure consisted of cysts over 4 cm in diameter and those of less than 4 cm in diameter with caliceal or pelvic distortion and compression. Fifty-four cysts were instilled with dehydrated ethanol, 10 cysts with minocycline, one cyst with 50% dextrose as a sclerosing agent, and four cysts underwent only aspiration of the cyst fluid. We instilled dehydrated ethanol when the aspirated fluid was not bloody and there existed no extravasation of the contrast medium or communication between the cyst cavity and the urinary tract. The instilled volume of dehydrated ethanol ranged from 8 to 400 ml (average: 72.8 ml), equivalent to 35.0-100% (average: 62.1%) of the aspirated volume. Retention time was 20 minutes, the follow-up period was 2-67 months (mean follow-up period: 13.7 months), and the reduction rate of the cyst volume was 60.0-100% (average: 96.2%). There were no major complications due to puncture or dehydrated ethanol instillation. Ultrasound-guided renal cyst puncture was shown to be a safe non-surgical approach and a useful method of treating renal cysts.

Adolescent

[The efficiency of continuous hemofiltration/hemodialysis for acute respiratory failure complicated with acute renal failure].

Continuous hemofiltration/hemodialysis (CHF/CHD) have emerged as effective modalities in the management of acute renal failure. More recently, these therapies have received attention for non-renal application such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure. To assess the potential benefits of CHF/CHD in the management of severe impairment of pulmonary gas exchange, we evaluated a series of clinical variables in a group of patients with acute respiratory failure complicated with acute renal failure. In 9 of 15 patients, pulmonary gas exchange was improved. Intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) and pulmonary vascular resistance were also improved during the therapies. The beneficial effects of the modalities seems to be induced by effective removal of extravascular lung water. However, the fact that the same effects were also observed in a few patients with zero or positive fluid balance may indicate the possibility of elimination of circulating middle-molecular pulmonary toxic mediators. We concluded CHF/CHD are recommendable methods for the management of acutely ill patients with respiratory failure.

Acute Disease

[A case of virilizing adrenocortical carcinoma in adult].

A case of virilizing adrenocortical carcinoma is reported. A 35-year-old woman was referred to our clinic because of left adrenal mass detected incidentally by ultrasonography. At the time of admission, facial acne, systemic hirsutism, hypertrophied clitoris and amenorrhea for two months were observed. Serum testosterone showed obviously high level and urinary 17-KS and 17-OHCS showed slightly high level. A computed tomography revealed a heterogeneous mass with calcification in the left adrenal region. Selective angiography revealed hypervascularity. Under the preoperative diagnosis of virilizing left adrenal tumor, left adrenalectomy was performed. The tumor measured 8 x 6 x 7 cm, and weighed 194 g. A diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma was made by pathological examination. Virilizing adrenocortical carcinoma is very rare in adults. We reviewed and discussed 10 cases of virilizing adrenocortical carcinoma in adults, including our case, in the Japanese literature.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms

Accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in light-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli.

The accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX) in light-sensitive mutants of Escherichia coli was detected by spectrofluorimetry. Fluorescence emission and excitation spectra were recorded from extracts of bacterial cells. Proto IX clearly accumulated in cells with mutations in the visA (hemH) gene but not in the wild-type strain CA274 or in visA mutants that had been rendered light-resistant by introduction of the wild-type visA+ gene. Accumulation of Proto IX was also not observed in cells with a mutation in the visB gene. These results confirm the hypothesis that the sensitivity of the visA mutants to light is caused by the abnormal accumulation of Proto IX, a substrate of ferrochelatase, as the result of a genetic defect in the gene for ferrochelatase.

Escherichia coli

A YIGSR-containing novel mutein without the detrimental effect of human TNF-alpha of enhancing experimental pulmonary metastasis.

The injection of B16F10 melanoma cells with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) into the tail vein of C57BL/6 mice resulted in 2- to 25-fold more metastatic foci in the lungs than the injection of tumor cells alone. Clearly, TNF-alpha significantly enhanced experimental tumor metastasis. Furthermore, it enhanced the metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma cells. In contrast, a mutein of TNF-alpha, designated as F4236, having the cell-adhesive sequence (Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg) at the N-terminus of the TNF molecule did not enhance metastasis, but rather exhibited similar antitumor activity to wild-type TNF-alpha in fibrosarcoma-bearing mice.

Amino Acid Sequence

Studies on the relationship between the estrous cycle of BALB/c mice and their resistance to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection.

A relationship between the estrous cycle and non-specific host resistance to Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis yeast cells was examined by using both sexes of adult BALB/c mice. They were divided into 6 groups, including a male group and females at proestrus, estrus, metestrus-I, metestrus-II and diestrus. The mice received yeast cells through three different inoculation routes; intravenous, intraperitoneal and intratracheal. In all of the inoculation routes, the clearance of the yeast cells was influenced by the estrous cycle. The female mice at estrus, which might have high blood estrogen levels, showed a marked clearance of the yeast cells from the blood, peritoneal cavity and lungs. These results suggested that non-specific host resistance to the yeast cells was enhanced by estrogen. All female groups inoculated by the three routes showed higher clearance of the yeast cells than the male group.

Animals

p53 point mutations in primary human gastric carcinomas.

p53 point mutations in primary gastric carcinomas were analyzed by performing cDNA deoxynucleotide sequencing of the gene. Out of 16, 9 (56.3%) primary gastric carcinoma cases, including early cancer, showed one or more p53 point mutations in their open-reading frame, and 4 out of 9 cases had a p53 point mutation within highly conserved domains. The characteristics of the p53 mutation spectrum observed in primary tumors were (a) frequent mutation at an A:T pair (50%, 7 out of 14 mutations), (b) high transversion incidence (29%, 4 out of 14 mutations), (c) no transition at CpG, and (d) no G:C to T:A transversion. Our results suggest that p53 mutation is a common event in gastric carcinoma occurring from the early stage of progression with its specific mutation spectrum.

Adult

Predictive indicators for the therapeutic effect of OK-432 in patients with chronic active type B hepatitis.

Twenty-two patients with chronic type B hepatitis were treated with OK-432. Immunological parameters were serially measured to find predictive indicators for the seroconversion from hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBe Ag) to anti-HBe. In patients who achieved the disappearance of HBe Ag associated with or without the appearance of anti-HBe, the numbers of CD8+DR+ and CD4+DR+T cells in peripheral blood increased gradually during OK-432 therapy and then reduced subsequently to the seroconversion from HBe Ag positive to anti-HBe positive. Increases of DR-positive T cells in numbers were significantly correlated with increased amounts of IFN-gamma produced in response to in vitro OK-432 stimulation. In vitro OK-432-stimulated IFN-gamma production and the increase of CD8+DR+T cells in number in peripheral blood could be proposed as predictive indicators for the disappearance of HBe Ag.

Adolescent

Phase differences between chest and mouth flows in patients suffering from pulmonary disease.

The phase difference (PD) between mouth flow and chest flow during rest breathing was measured in pulmonary diseased patients using a body box and the results were compared with normal subjects. Whereas the PD increased in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) compared to normal subjects, PD was found to be normal in patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (Normal: 2.94 +/- 1.25, COPD: 11.32 +/- 4.17*, IPF: 2.62 +/- 1.67 degrees; *P < 0.01). PD correlated well with FEV1.0/VC%, PFR, RV/TLC, VTG and Ra (r: -0.759, -0.672, -0.788, 0.666, 0.606). From an in-depth analysis of the results, we suggest that the factors which increase PD in COPD patients include hyperinflation of the lung, increases in airway resistance and increases in the parallel inhomogeneity of airway resistance accompanied by an unevenness of alveolar pressures. PD was thought to be clinically useful for the evaluation of the pathological stages of COPD because it reflects the overall clinical manifestations in COPD patients.

Adult

A basis for resistance of Blastomyces dermatitidis killing by human neutrophils: inefficient generation of myeloperoxidase system products.

The mechanism by which the yeast form of Blastomyces dermatitidis resists killing by human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was investigated. The metabolic products of the oxidative burst generated during the interaction of PMN and B. dermatitidis or Candida albicans were detected by lucigenin- or luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL). Interaction of PMN and C. albicans resulted in luminol-enhanced CL 100-fold greater than that generated by PMN and B. dermatitidis. This correlated with killing of C. albicans and resistance of B. dermatitidis. Since B. dermatitidis and PMN interactions resulted in significant lucigenin-enhanced CL, deficient luminol CL was not due to a lack of products from the NADPH oxidase system. Killed B. dermatitidis cells at 37 degrees C were more efficient than live cells in stimulating PMN for luminol-enhanced CL; however, only fragmented B. dermatitidis cells elicited luminol-enhanced CL equivalent to that of C. albicans. Since lysates of PMN were active in a cell-free hydrogen peroxide-peroxidase-halide system, resistance of B. dermatitidis to PMN was not due to a defect in PMN peroxidase. Taken together, these findings indicate that resistance of B. dermatitidis to killing by PMN results from inefficient generation of products from the peroxidase-dependent PMN microbicidal system.

Acridines