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Biomedical subjects

K Nishimura

Publications and source records attributed to K Nishimura.

At least 1,225 records · Page 68Linked to original sources

The measurement of serum proteins with rapid turnover for early diagnosis of fatal hepatitis.

An attempt was made to find reliable indices for the early recognition of fatal cases of acute viral hepatitis, using the values of serum proteins with rapid turnover. Prealbumin and alpha2-HS-glycoprotein were measured in the sera of 44 cases by immunodiffusion method before the appearance of hepatic coma and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. The difference of the mean values of prealbumin between fatal and surviving cases of subacute form of fulminant hepatitis was not statistically significant. In contrast to this, there was statistically significant difference between both groups in the mean values of alpha2-HS-glycoprotein (p less than 0.05). The present results indicate the possibility of differentiating fatal cases from surviving ones at an early stage, using the reduction of alpha2-HS-glycoprotein by a simple and reproducible immunodiffusion method.

Blood Proteins↗

A semi-automated measurement of urinary catecholamines using high-speed ion-exchange column chromatography.

Semi-automated measurement of urinary catecholamines, specific for dopa, noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine and other metabolites has been developed. Steps included alumina extraction, separation by high-speed ion-exchange column chromatography and fluorescent development by trihydroxyindole (THI) method without interference by other fluorescent substances. Recovery, reproducibility and sensitivity were satisfactory. alpha-Methyldopa, a metabolite of alpha-methyldopa, and isoproterenol were separated completely without interfering with the measurement of noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine.

Adult↗

Purification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme from human lung.

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptide hydrolase, EC 3.4.15.1) was solubilized from the membrane fraction of human lung using trypsin treatment and purfied using columns of DE 52-cellulose, hydroxyapatite and Sephadex G-200. The purified enzyme was shown to convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II and also to inactivate bradykinin. The specific activity of the enzyme was 9.5 units/mg protein for Hippuryl-His-Leu-OH and 0.665 mumol/min per mg protein for angiotensin I. The enzymic activity obtained after trypsin treatment (1 mg/200 mg protein) for 2 h could be divided into three components: (i) an enzyme of molecular weight 290 000 (peak I), (ii) an enzyme of molecular weight 180 000 (peak II) and (iii) an enzyme of molecular weight 98 000 (peak III), by columns of DE 52-cellulose and Sephadex G-200. Km values of peak I, II and III fraction for Hippuryl-His-Leu-OH were identical at 1.1 mM. pH optimum of the enzyme was 8.3 for Hippuryl-His-Leu-OH.

Angiotensin II↗

Comparison of human membrane-bound neutral arylamidases from small intestine, lung, kidney, liver and placenta.

Human membrane-bound neutral arylamidases were solubilized from small intestinal mucosa, lung, kidney, liver and placenta with trypsin. These five membrane-bound neutral arylamidases were identified by polyacrylamide gel-disc electrophoresis. The heat sensitivity of each enzyme was in the order, liver and placenta greater than kidney greater than lung greater than small intestine. This order correlates with that of electrophoretic mobility, except for the placental membrane-bound neutral arylamidase. Five membrane-bound neutral arylamidases have the same molecular weight, 240 000, as estimated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The five membrane-bound neutral arylamidase have very similar KM values (8.7 x 10(-5) M towards L-alanyl-beta-naphthylamide), optimal pH values, hydrolysis ratios towards L-alanyl-beta-naphthylamide and L-leucyl-beta-naphthylamide, and sensitivities of inhibition by chelators or amino acids. These results suggest that the multiple forms of membrane-bound neutral arylamidase found in five different human organs are organ-specific isoenzymes.

Amino Acids↗

Investigation on dimorphism of Blastomyces dermatitidis by agar-implantation method.

By the agar-implantation developed by the authors the process of conversion on Blastomyces dermatitidis from mycelial phase to yeast phase was observed. First of all slide cultures of the fungus were prepared at room temperature. Upon confirmation of good hyphal growth, a cover glass was removed and a part of medium was cut out in a square of about 3 mm a side. After mice were laparotomied, each agar block cut out was implanted in the peritoneal cavity of mouse. The mice implanted with the agar blocks were killed, two each, every day for 14 days, and thereafter at intervals of a week for 2 months. Therefore, the implanted agar blocks were all recovered. They were examined directly by a light microscope with histopathological and electron microscopic examinations carried out at the same time. Within the peritoneal cavity of mouse, the intercalary and terminal chlamydospores were formed from hyphae. These subsequently swelled to become yeastlike cells and proliferated thereafter by budding.

Animals↗

Separation of human renin substrate from renin and a major contaminating albumin using a concanavalin A-sepharose column.

Human plasma renin substrate was purified and separated from renin by a concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity column. Human renin substrate as well as renin were bound to concanavalin A. Renin substrate was eluted with 0.1 M D-glucose in 20 mM Tris/HCl buffer, pH 8.0. The specific activity increased from 38.5 to 653 ng of angiotensin-I equivalents per mg of protein (17-fold) and the recovery was 85%. Renin was eluted completely with 0.2 M alpha-D-methylglucoside and 0.2 M alpha-D-methylmannoside.

Angiotensin II↗

Clinical application of high speed B mode echocardiography.

This study discusses the clinical application of high speed B mode echocardiography to a wide variety of heart diseases. We used a rapid mechanical sector scan at 30 frames per second and 120 scanning lines per frame, resulting in real time observation of cardiac structures. The sector angle was relatively wide (maximum 90 degrees). The tomograms were synchronized with the electrocardiogram and recorded on ordinary 35 mm or Polaroid film in conjunction with 8 mm cinematography. Heart cross sections could be recorded even in the presence of arrhythmia. We used a flat or focused, 10 mm diameter transducer made of lead zirconate-titanate with a resonant frequency of 2 or 3 MHz at a repetition rate of 3.6 kHz. High speed B mode echocardiography is a means of observing cross sections of the heart that can contribute to the improvement of accuracy in cardiac diagnosis.

Echocardiography↗

Rapid turnover serum proteins in fulminant hepatitis.

An attempt was made to find reliable indices for early diagnosis of fatal cases of acute viral hepatitis, using the values of serum proteins with rapid turnover. Of the subfractions of serum protein, prealbumin, alpha2-HS-glycoprotein and Normotest were measured simultaneously before the appearance of hepatic coma/or gastrointestinal bleeding in 78 cases of acute viral hepatitis, verified by biopsy or necropsy. The mean value of prealbumin with a very short half-life of one or two days, was 6.0 mg/dl in fatal cases, 7.4 mg/dl in surviving ones of subacute form of fulminant hepatitis. The difference between fatal and surviving cases was not statistically significant. In contrast to this, the values alpha2-HS-glycoprotein with a comparatively short halflife of four to six days, showed statistically significant difference between fatal (21.9 mg/dl) and surviving cases (37.4 mg/dl). Normotest was also depressed in fatal (10.7%) and surviving cases (45.3%). The difference was statistically significant. The present results indicate the possibility of differentiating fatal cases from surviving ones at an early stage, using the reduction of alpha2-HS-glycoprotein and the value of Normotest.

Acute Disease↗

Effects of diuretics on calcium excretion and Ca2+-activated ATPase in rat kidney.

Effects of three diuretics on the urinary Ca2+ excretion and on the microsomal Ca2+-activated ATPase were examined in the rat kidney. Furosemide and bumetanide increased Na+, K+, and Ca2+ excretion in the rats. Acetazolamide increased Na+ and K+ excretion but not Ca2+. Urinary inorganic phosphate excretion was not affected during the administration of acetazolamide. It is suggested that acetazolamide inhibits Na+ transport without affecting Ca2+ reabsorption in the rat nephron. Microsomal ATPase of the rat kidney cortex was stimulated by Ca2+ or Mg2+ alone and an additive effect of the two cations was not observed. Microsomal ATPase activated by Ca2+ or Mg2+ was not inhibited by furosemide, bumetanide, and acetazolamide. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of furosemide and bumetanide on the Ca2+ reabsorption is not related to the inhibition of Ca2+-activated ATPase.

Acetazolamide↗

Real time observation of the echo source of systolic hump in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with high speed ultrasono-cardiotomography.

The present study was undertaken to discuss the echo source of systolic hump in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) from a viewpoint of B-mode echocardiography. Cross-sectional images were obtained from 4 patients with HOCM using a Sonolayergraph of Toshiba, SSL-51H. This equipment is characterized by its high speed mechanical sector scanning and wider angle. Recordings were made with ordinary 35 mm camera or Polaroid in conjunction with 8 mm cinecamera. Our data showed that systolic hump in this lesion was not caused by anterior systolic movement of anterior mitral leaflet, but was emanated from the chordae tendineae attached to the anterior or posterior mitral leaflet. In systole, the anterior mitral leaflet moved backward for closure, while the chordae tendineae approached the bulged interventricular septum resulting in the formation of systolic hump.

Adolescent↗

Clinical study on the acoustic phenomena in coronary venous system with intracardiac phonocardiography.

In order to study the intracardiac murmurs in coronary venous system, right heart catheterization was carried out on 35 patients with or without mitral regurgitation. The double-lumen phonocatheter of A. E. L. was used for 33 cases but for 2 the microtip phonocatheter of Millar was employed. As a rule, simultaneous recording of intracardiac and external phonocardiograms was made with the pressure tracing in the majority of cases. The examined subjects were divided into 3 groups; 9 cases with mitral regurgitation confirmed by left ventriculography (Group I), 20 without mitral regurgitation (Group II), and 6 with functional systolic murmur (Group III). In Group I, a loud systolic murmur was recorded in 7 cases (MR 5, MR + AR 1, ECD 1), but in none of IHSS in the coronary sinus or great coronary vein. In Group II, no systolic bruit was noted in VSD and other lesions except ASR in the coronary venous system. The same was true in patients with functional systolic murmur (Group III). Intracardiac phonocardiography is thought to be useful to record mitral regurgitant murmurs in the coronary venous system, since the latter is in the close proximity to the mitral posterior commissure or mitral annulus.

Adult↗