Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Nishimura.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Plasma half-life and organ uptake ratio of radiolabeled glandular kallikrein in control and nephrectomized rats.

The purified rat urinary kallikrein was radiolabeled by lactoperoxidase method and by chloramine T method. Plasma half-life of radiolabeled kallikrein was 5.06 +/- 0.59 (n = 5) min in control rats and 5.24 +/- 0.42 (n = 5) min in nephrectomized rats. There was no difference between two groups. From autoradiogram, main metabolic organs of radiolabeled kallikrein were liver, kidney and spleen. Total uptake of radiolabeled kallikrein in ech organ was the highest in liver (73.2%). The uptake per g tissue of radiolabeled kallikrein in each organ was high in liver (33.0%), kidney (31.4%) and spleen (21.1%). These results suggest that the active kallikrein is metabolized mainly in the liver, and kidney is not so an important organ to metabolize or to eliminate the active kallikrein in plasma. In order to clarify the mode of existence of active kallikrein in plasma, the following experiment was done by using disc gel electrophoresis. Radioactive profile of radiolabeled kallikrein showed one peak (Rf = 1.0), but radiolabeled kallikrein mixed with rat plasma showed two peaks, that is small peak (Rf = 1.0), and main peak (RF = 0.5). The most of radiolabeled kallikrein was bound to plasma protein and only five per cent was in free form. Furthermore, the binding of radiolabeled kallikrein to plasma protein was interfered by the addition of active kallikrein. These results suggest the possibility of existence of kallikrein binding protein in plasma.

Animals↗

Increased resistance of splenectomized mice to Sporothrix schenckii infection.

The susceptibility of splenectomized mice to Sporothrix schenckii was studied, and the role of the spleen in the host defense is discussed. S. schenckii Sp-1 and ddy male mice were used. The mice were divided into 3 groups consisting of splenectomized, sham-operated and intact mice. Each mouse was inoculated intravenously with 2 X 10(6) yeast cells 7 days after operation and the mice were sacrified at adequate intervals for 30 days. Then histological sections stained with H&E or by PAS were prepared from various visceral organs. Using the liver sections the number of yeast cells in a 40 mm2 was counted. Furthermore, the colony forming unit in 100 mg of the liver tissue was compared to each other. In the sham-operated and intact mice many purulent lesions appeared on the 5th day. On the 8th day mononuclear cells accumulated at the foci, and on the 10th day most of the foci became granulomatous. The number of yeast cells in granulomatous lesions reached a peak on the 10th day and thereafter decreased abruptly. On the other hand, in the splenectomized mice approximately half of foci became granulomatous on the 5th day, and the number of yeast cells in the foci began to decrease after the 5th day. There were definite differences in the colony forming unit between the splenectomized and sham-operated or intact mice sacrificed 9 days after inoculation. The colony forming unit of the former is 9.3 X 10(5) on the average, while that of the latter two is 5.6 X 10(6) and 5.1 X 10(6) on the average, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The pharmacokinetics of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide in healthy subjects.

We have analysed the pharmacokinetics of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) in healthy subjects, using a two-compartment open model following bolus intravenous injection. The plasma half-times for the fast and slow components were 1.7 +/- 0.07 min and 13.3 +/- 1.69 min respectively. V1 (the volume of the central compartment), VZ (volume of distribution) and VSS (volume of distribution at steady-state) were 5370 +/- 855 ml (89.5 +/- 14.3 ml X kg-1), 32000 +/- 4620 ml (533 +/- 77.0 ml X kg-1), and 11900 +/- 1530 ml (198 +/- 25.5 ml X kg-1) respectively. The mean plasma clearance was 1520 +/- 121 ml X min-1 (25.4 +/- 2.0 ml X min-1 X kg-1.

Adult↗

Surgery of hepatoma with intracavitary cardiac extension.

A case of primary liver carcinoma with intracavitary cardiac extension is presented. A 36-year-old female was admitted to our surgical clinic with dyspnea and generalized edema. Echocardiography and superior vena cavography demonstrated a large filling defect in the right atrium. After a diagnosis of acute cardiac failure due to an intracardiac tumor, the patient was operated upon immediately. A right atriotomy exposed a large yellow mass within the right atrium, which was not adherent to the atrial wall. The mass was in continuity with similar material in the inferior vena cava and right hepatic vein. With a suspicion of hepatic malignancy, the atrial tumor was removed, and debulking of the mass in the inferior vena cava and right hepatic vein was performed. A postoperative histological examination of the tumor showed hepatocellular carcinoma. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital. Intracardiac extension of hepatoma is rarely encountered. In this clinical setting, long-term survival cannot be anticipated from any surgery, but palliative clearing of the atrium and inferior vena cava may be of value in preventing cardiac arrest causing sudden death.

Adult↗

An improved method for the separation of molecular species of cerebrosides.

A method employing reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for the analysis of molecular species of underivatized cerebrosides. By using a high carbon (20%) C18-silica bead column, monohexosylceramides isolated from bovine brain and Japanese quail intestine could each be separated into 42 and 56 peaks, respectively, and could subsequently be recovered. Under our analytical conditions, underivatized cerebrosides with 24:1 and 22:0 fatty acids were completely separated by single step HPLC. Each of the molecular species was then analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (or fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry). This analytical method permits the complete identification of molecular species of glycosphingolipids.

Animals↗

Aggregation-dissociation and stability of acid beta-galactosidase purified from porcine spleen.

Sucrose gradient centrifugation of the monomeric form (A1) of porcine spleen beta-galactosidase showed a pH-dependent equilibrium between monomer at neutral pH (pH 7.0) and dimer at acidic pH (pH 5.4-3.0), independent of ionic strength. While the oligomeric form (Ao), which was hardly dissociated under physiological conditions, was dissociated only with some protein denaturing agents into similar catalytic subunit to the A1. Both the A1 and Ao were equally active and stable at acidic pH, in the physiological condition inside lysosome (around pH 4.6).

Animals↗

Beta-thromboglobulin release within coronary circulation--a potential role of platelets in ergonovine-induced coronary vasospasm.

The role of platelets in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial ischemia is not yet agreed upon. In this study, the gradient of plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration between coronary sinus and aorta was used as an indicator of platelet activation within the coronary circulation. Blood samples were drawn before and after injection of ergonovine maleate in patients without fixed coronary stenosis in whom significant coronary spasm was induced by ergonovine (n = 8, Group 1), patients with significant stenosis (greater than or equal to 75%) of the left anterior descending artery and positive ergonovine test (n = 7, Group 2) and patients with significant stenosis of left anterior descending coronary artery and negative ergonovine test (n = 11, Group 3). Fifteen patients with normal coronary arteries who were negative in the ergonovine test served as controls (Group 4). After the ergonovine test, all Group 1 patients revealed a significant increase of beta-thromboglobulin gradient (P less than 0.001), while those in other groups did not. Additionally, the gradient after the ergonovine test of Group 1 patients was larger than those of the other groups (P less than 0.01). All blood samples after the ergonovine test were collected before or at the onset of angina attacks. These results suggest that platelet activation within the coronary circulation has some pathogenic role, probably as an aggravating factor, in coronary artery spasm.

Adult↗

Stimulation of cytokine production in mice using deacetylated chitin.

The effect of 70% deacetylated chitin (DAC-70) on the production of cytokines in mice was examined. DAC-70 stimulated the production of colony-stimulating factor and interferon at 6 to 12 h and 24 h after intraperitoneal injection, respectively. Interleukin 1 and colony-stimulating activity were induced in the supernatants of thioglycolate-induced macrophages stimulated with DAC-70 in vitro. However, DAC-70 did not stimulate the production by spleen cells of interleukin 2, interferon, colony-stimulating or macrophage-activating factor or of interferon by macrophages in vitro. DAC-70 showed no effect on the production of tumour necrosis factor in vivo.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Increment of prostaglandin E2 in association with elevation of urinary sodium excretion following lead administration.

Lead administered to semi-fasted rats caused an elevation of urinary sodium excretion but no increase of urinary potassium excretion as previously observed in fasted rats. Moreover, in this experiment it was found that urinary and serum prostaglandin E2 (PG E2) contents were increased in association with the elevation of urinary sodium excretion by lead and that natriuresis was suppressed by indomethacine treatment. These findings suggest a stimulation of prostaglandin synthetase rather than to a suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as a primary reaction caused by the lead administration.

Administration, Oral↗

Stripe sign in pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy: central pattern of pulmonary emphysema. Work in progress.

Morphologic changes and ventilation abnormalities in the lung that resulted in the peripheral perfusion stripe (the stripe sign) on pulmonary perfusion scintigrams were studied in six patients. Chest radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans obtained using N-13 were compared. Although there was no apparent correlation between the presence of the stripe sign and the findings on the chest radiographs, PET scans depicted ventilation abnormalities in all of 11 lung areas with the stripe sign in six patients. In addition, ventilation was affected more severely in the central part of the lung than in the subpleural region in ten of the 11 lung areas. CT scans demonstrated emphysematous changes, with low attenuation values located mainly in the central part of the lung in all four patients examined. The results suggest an intimate relationship between the stripe sign and the central pattern of pulmonary emphysema.

Aged↗

Stomach and duodenum: radiographic magnification using computed radiography (CR).

We performed direct radiographic magnification (X3) using a 0.1-mm microfocal tube and computed radiography (CR) in air-barium double-contrast studies of the stomach and duodenum. To eliminate blurring of the image due to motion, we used the maximum kilovolt peak rate possible (102 kVp), the maximum milliampere second rate possible (64 mAs), the shortest possible exposure time (0.1 second), and a horizontal x-ray beam. With the patients in the supine position, CR provided the wide image reproduction range required to obtain satisfactory radiographs. Image processing in the CR system produced radiographs with increased radiographic contrast and enhanced edge definition of anatomic borders or pathologic processes. The duodenal villi were clearly visible in 45% of the cases.

Computers↗

Uterine cervical cancer: assessment with high-field MR imaging.

Nineteen patients with histologically proved cervical carcinoma were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Clinical, MR, and surgical findings were compared to determine accuracy and clinical usefulness of MR in demonstrating mass and extent of disease. MR imaging enabled clear differentiation of corpus uteri, cervix, vagina, uterine ligaments, and tumor. Tumor was demonstrated as a high-intensity mass deforming the low-intensity cervix; the low background intensity of normal structures provided high contrast to the mass. MR imaging accurately demonstrated the tumor in all ten patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma and showed a normal cervix in nine patients with early cancer. On sagittal images, the shape of corpus uteri, cervix, and vagina, and their relationship to the mass were clearly assessed, with their long axes usually in a single plane. On axial images, assessment of parametrial tumor extension was facilitated by clear definition of the low-intensity cervix and uterine ligaments. Although more study is needed to determine the accuracy of MR in staging, MR is a promising method in evaluating cervical carcinoma.

Adult↗

[Antihypertensive effects of SA446, hydralazine and the combination on renal hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats by long-term treatment].

SA446 [(2R, 4R)-2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(3-mercaptopropionyl)-4- thiazolidinecarboxylic acid] (30 mg/kg/day), an orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lowered significantly indirect systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 2-kidney, 1-clip renal hypertensive rats (RHR) by consecutive oral administration over a 14 week period. Daily oral dosing of hydralazine (2 mg/kg/day) for 14 weeks had little or no effect on SBP, but potentiated the antihypertensive effect of SA446. One to two weeks after discontinuation of the drugs, SBP in SA446 and the combination groups returned to the control level. Survival rates were 64%, 30% in the control and hydralazine group, respectively, but no death was observed in the SA446 group and the combination group throughout the administration period. Twenty-four hour urine volume and water intake tended to increase in the hydralazine group through the administration period, but increased apparently in the SA446 group and the combination group after discontinuation of the drugs. Daily oral dosing of SA446 (45 mg/kg/day) for over 16 weeks completely prevented the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Daily oral dosing of hydralazine (2 mg/kg/day) similarly prevented the development. The combined effect with SA446 and hydralazine on the development was also observed. SBP in the SA446 group and the combination group increased gradually after discontinuation of the drugs, but were maintained at a low level as compared with the control group 3 weeks after discontinuation, while hydralazine gave a rapid return. No influences were observed in 24 hr-urine volume and water intake during and after the administration period in SHR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Mercaptopropionic Acid↗

Synchrotron radiation at the Photon Factory for non-invasive coronary angiography: experimental studies.

Synchrotron radiation available at the Photon Factory, National Laboratory for High Energy Physics, provides a new X-ray source which is highly suitable for K-edge subtraction. This is due to its high intensity, its parallelism and its monochromaticity, available in a monochromator system. Experiments were performed using wiggler synchrotron radiation. Since the beam size is relatively-small for in-vivo imaging, a phantom coupled with a detector was moved horizontally using a scanning table. K-edge subtraction was successfully applied both to the coronary artery phantom filled with barium sulphate, and to rat angiography using iodine contrast material. The potential use and value of energy subtraction was successfully demonstrated.

Animals↗