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Biomedical subjects

K Ujiie

Publications and source records attributed to K Ujiie.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Angiotensin-converting enzyme activity as a prognostic factor in acute renal failure.

We evaluated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and thyroid function to determine the importance as prognostic factors in acute renal failure (ARF). Among 37 ARF patients, 24 survived (recovered group) and 13 died (lethal group). Both serum thyroxine (T4) level and ACE activity were lower in ARF as a whole group (n = 37) than normal control group (n = 27, p less than 0.01). Both serum T4 level and ACE activity in lethal group (n = 13) were significantly lower than those of the recovered group (n = 24, p less than 0.01). Serum ACE activity but not serum T4 level was significantly related to the prognosis of ARF (p less than 0.02, Mantel-Haenszel analysis). This suggests that lowered serum T4 levels are not a specific indicator of ARF, but lowered ACE activity is significantly related to the prognosis of the patient in ARF. Serum ACE activity seems to be one of several clinically useful prognostic indicators in ARF.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1990

Role of lysine-67 in the active site of class C beta-lactamase from Citrobacter freundii GN346.

Citrobacter freundii GN346 produces a class C beta-lactamase exhibiting the substrate profile of a typical cephalosporinase. The structural and promoter regions of the cephalosporinase gene, comprising 1408 nucleotides, were completely sequenced. The amino acid sequence of the mature enzyme, comprising 361 amino acids, and its molecular mass, 39,878 Da, were determined. The active site was confirmed to be Ser-64. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme differs from that of the cephalosporinase of C. freundii OS60 by nine residues. The nucleotide sequence of the promoter region suggests a possible attenuator structure. Lys-67, one of the most conserved residues found in class A and C beta-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins, was converted into arginine, threonine or glutamic acid through site-directed mutagenesis. The Glu-67 enzyme had lost the catalytic activity and the Thr-67 enzyme only showed a trace of activity. The Arg-67 enzyme, which retained a significant amount of the activity, was purified. The Km values of the Arg-67 enzyme for cephalothin, cephaloridine and benzylpenicillin are 13-19 times those of the wild-type enzyme; the kcat values for the three substrates are 37%, 3%, and 36% those of the wild-type enzyme, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Endoscopic examination for fistula.

In 15 postoperative fistula cases, we performed endoscopic examination (fistuloscopy) and studied the clinical significance. The inside of the fistula was easily observed after irrigation with physiological saline. The drain was extubated in 6 cases in which cavities without abscesses were recognized. In a case of pancreatic fistula, the fistula was temporarily closed using fibrin glue. Re-operation was performed in a case in which recurrence of cancer was recognized by biopsy. On the other hand, in 9 cases in which cavities with abscesses were recognized, foreign bodies, such as suture threads, which were sources of infections were removed. Moreover, the drain was removed to the effective site, and the fistula then irrigated repeatedly. Consequently, with the exception of a death due to cancer and a case complicated by osteomyelitis, the fistula was closed in all cases. Fistuloscopy is a safe and easy technique. In addition, the method, which is less stressful for the patient, is considered to be effective for the examination and treatment of fistulas.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effects of ANF on cGMP synthesis in inner medullary collecting duct subsegments of rats.

The inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) is thought to be a major target site for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) action. The IMCD is divided into two subsegments (IMCD1, outer third; and IMCD2,3, inner two-thirds) based on differences in urea and water permeability. IMCD1 has similar characteristics to the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD). To elucidate whether there are any differences among these segments in ANF actions, we investigated the effects of ANF on guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) synthesis in IMCD subsegments and the OMCD. We also examined the effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis. IMCD subsegments (IMCD1,2,3) and OMCD were microdissected; and ANF-stimulated cGMP synthesis and AVP-stimulated cAMP synthesis were measured. cGMP synthesis stimulated by 10(-6) M ANF in IMCD1,2,3 (0.78 +/- 0.15, 0.81 +/- 0.19, 0.62 +/- 0.10 fmol.mm-1 x 3 min-1, mean +/- SE respectively, n = 10-11) was significantly (greater than 20-fold) higher than that in OMCD (0.03 +/- 0.02 fmol.mm-1 x 3 min-1, n = 7), and there was no difference among IMCD subsegments. On the other hand, cAMP synthesis stimulated by 10(-7) M AVP in IMCD subsegments was similar to that in OMCD. We conclude that IMCD is homogenous as a target site of ANF and is clearly distinguished from OMCD. In addition, more than half of ANF-stimulated cGMP synthesis in IMCD are considered to occur in IMCD1, simply because IMCD1 is dominant in population among IMCD subsegments. As target sites of AVP, IMCD subsegments are similar to OMCD.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Gastrectomy for a patient with congenital factor VII deficiency--a case report].

A 76-year-old man with congenital factor VII deficiency was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of gastric cancer. On admission, the hepaplastin test was prolonged reaching to 21% and factor VII activity was reduced to 8%. After preoperative heat-treated prothrombin complex concentrates loading test, factor VII levels had been maintained above 20% by every four-hour infusion of concentrates during operation and the first post operative day. Bleeding tendency didn't occur, but thrombosis occurred at the left femoral vein. Pre and postoperative replacement therapy is essential to the patient with congenital factor VII deficiency for the safety of operation.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic examination for pancreatic fistula.

We have conducted endoscopic examination in 5 cases of postoperative pancreatic fistula, and discuss its clinical significance. The examination provided not only an observation of the fistula but also opportunity to irrigate the fistula for removal of foreign substances. The biopsy permitted histological examination for necrotic substances and the fistulous wall. Endoscopy made it easy to introduce a drain into the affected site and to judge when to remove the drain. Closure of the fistula was also attainable using fibrin glue. Consequently, the fistulas were closed within 1 month from the examination in all cases but one, in which death resulted due to carcinoma. The examination is an easy and safe technique.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Endoscopic examination for fistula].

We have conducted fistulous endoscopic examination in 11 cases of postoperative fistula, and discuss its clinical significance. The examination was carried out using an endoscope more than 3 weeks after the operation. The endoscopic examination of the fistula provided not only an internal observation of the fistula but also opportunity to an irrigate the fistula for removal of foreign substances. In addition, the biopsy permitted histological examination for necrotic substances and the fistulous wall. Furthermore, in 7 cases involving abscess, endoscopy made it easy to introduce a drain into the affected site and to judge when to remove the drain based on the condition of the fistula. Closure of pancreatic fistula was also attainable using fibrin glue. Consequently, the fistulas were closed within 2 months after the fistulous endoscopic examination in all cases but one, in which death resulted due to carcinoma. The endoscopic examination for fistula is a fairly easy technique as long as it is carried out only when the fistula is firmly formed. Moreover, this technique is considered to be an effective mean of testing and treatment method since it imposes less stress on the patient.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

The drainage routes for aqueous humor in monkeys as revealed by scanning electron microscopy of corrosion casts.

The outflow routes for aqueous humor from the anterior chamber in cynomolgus monkeys were studied. The routes were filled with a mixture of Mercox CL2R and methyl methacrylate, 4:6, which had a low viscosity. Polymerization was delayed by cooling. Some experiments were performed after fixation with glutaraldehyde. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the casts after dissolution of the tissue. The casts indicate inflow into the first intertrabecular space through a limited number of 10-100 microns openings. The first space is an irregular circular plexus. Subsequent uveal intertrabecular spaces also constitute complex channels. In the ciliary muscle the plastic entering from the uveal intertrabecular spaces could pass through narrow spaces into the supraciliary and suprachoroidal spaces. The intertrabecular spaces in the corneoscleral meshwork were thinner than those in the uveal meshwork. The outermost layer which tended to fill incompletely especially in fixed preparations communicated with the spaces of the juxtacanalicular tissue. In this tissue there was very limited filling even in unfixed preparations. On the casts of the canal of Schlemm there were remnants of communications with the juxtacanalicular tissue. These remnants indicated that only pores with diameters of 2-3 microns or more had been large enough to drain plastic into the canal. The collector channels formed a deep scleral plexus at many places. This plexus and direct collector channels drained into superior and inferior episcleral veins. Apparently the casting technique permitted visualization of most of the uveal and corneoscleral intertrabecular spaces and of preferential channels through the juxtacanalicular tissue and the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. The number of such channels was about 10-20/mm2 of inner wall.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Physiology of the choroidal vascular bed.

The choroidal vascular bed has many interesting features such as relatively wide but flat capillaries, fenestrated capillary walls and an enormous blood flow. The high flow rate results in a high oxygen tension in the tissue and is also of importance in the temperature control of the eye. The capillary wall is permeable to plasma proteins which is probably of great importance for the supply of vitamin A to the pigment epithelium. The permeability to low molecular weight substances is very high which results in a tissue fluid similar to plasma with respect to small molecules. It is not clear whether the choriocapillaris is normally reabsorbing fluid transported into the choroid from the retina and from the anterior chamber or if there is a net filtration from the choriocapillaris. Fluid can pass from the choroid through the suprachoroid into the episcleral tissues via the scleral substance and spaces around the blood vessels and nerves.

Animals↗