Biomedical subjects

M Kawamura

Publications and source records attributed to M Kawamura.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

[Stomachic principles in ginger. II. Pungent and anti-ulcer effects of low polar constituents isolated from ginger, the dried rhizoma of Zingiber officinale Roscoe cultivated in Taiwan. The absolute stereostructure of a new diarylheptanoid].

By using the effects on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats, beta-sesquiphellandrene (2), beta-bisabolene (3), ar-curcumene (4) and 6-shogaol (5) were isolated as anti-ulcer active principles in ginger, the dried rhizoma of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Shokyo in Japanese) which was cultivated in Taiwan, together with nine known compounds and a new diarylheptanoid. The absolute stereostructure of the diarylheptanoid was characterized as (3S,5S)-dihydroxy 1-(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(4''-hydrox y-3''-methoxyphenyl)heptane (15) on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence which included the application of the benzoate chirality method. The pungent effects of several constituents isolated from ginger were examined.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Detection of uremic peaks in dogs by anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography.

Sera of dogs with gentamicin-induced uremia were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography system with strongly basic macroreticular anion exchange resin. Satisfactory separation of peaks was achieved with good reproducibility after deproteinization of sera with trichloroacetic acid at a final concentration of 3%, confirming that the system was suitable for qualitative analysis of uremic serum. The chromatograms showed that the number of peaks and the peak area had relation to concentrations of serum urea nitrogen or creatinine and severity of uremia. Four peaks were selected as suspected canine uremic peaks with high correlation to serum creatinine concentrations which were hardly influenced by extrarenal factors. The results suggested that these four fractions might contain uremic toxins.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Localization of components of the renin-angiotensin system within the kidney and sustained release of angiotensins from isolated and perfused kidney.

We found colocalization of renin, angiotensin (Ang) I and Ang II in juxtaglomerular (JG) cells of the kidney. Coexistence of Ang II in renin granules was demonstrated by electron microscopic immunogold labeling of these components. Coexistence of both Ang I and Ang II in the high density renin storage granules were also demonstrated by gradient centrifugation of renal homogenate. These findings supported the synthesis of Ang I and Ang II in juxtaglomerular cells. Isolated and cultured JG cells showed the synthesis of Ang I, Ang II and renin. Ang I and Ang II were secreted from isolated and perfused rat kidneys at steady rates over 2 hr. Their secretion rates were proportional to that of renin. The rate of Ang II secretion from the kidney was higher than that from the vascular bed. Ang II was also found in renal lymph. These findings indicate that a large amount of Ang II is generated in JG cells by the intracellular action of renin and may play a significant role in the regulation of renal function.

Angiotensins↗

PubMed1992

Vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II and phenylephrine, the tubular function and the prostaglandin, renin-angiotensin system in a patient with Bartter's syndrome.

In a 39-yr-old female patient with Bartter's syndrome, vascular responsiveness to angiotensin II and phenylephrine was studied. Pressor responses to angiotensin II and to phenylephrine were markedly decreased prior to treatment and were improved by administration of indomethacin, dextran, KCl, captopril, propranolol or pindolol. Moreover, the responses of total peripheral vascular resistance to angiotensin II and phenylephrine were markedly decreased before treatment and were improved by the treatment. A relatively low fractional distal chloride reabsorption was found, and that was not changed after the administration of KCl or indomethacin. The results of this patient were compatible with the primary cause of Bartter's syndrome, defective chloride reabsorption at the loop of Henle, but the possibility of an abnormality in the vascular wall could not be denied.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in a graft-versus-host disease patient treated with cyclosporine A and prednisolone.

A 38-year-old male patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia in the first chronic phase underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from an HLA identical sibling. He developed chronic graft-versus-host disease and his condition gradually deteriorated. Fourteen months after BMT, acute progressive anemia, thrombocytopenia, reticulocytosis, increased serum lactic dehydrogenase and increased serum bilirubin were revealed following treatment with cyclosporine A (240 mg/day i.v.), prednisolone (60 mg/day i.v.) and azathioprine (100 mg/day p.o.). Red blood cell fragmentations were also found microscopically. At that time, the serum cyclosporine A trough level was 1,300 ng/ml by the polyclonal antibody RIA method. These symptoms were resolved by discontinuation of cyclosporine A and administrations of aspirin, cilostazol, and dipyridamole as anti-platelet agents. We consider this phenomenon to be micro-angiopathic hemolytic anemia due to a serum high cyclosporine A level which resulted from the concomitant use of cyclosporine A with prednisolone.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Increased plasma endothelin in NIDDM patients with retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the significance of ET in diabetic microvascular disease. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We determined plasma levels of ir-ET-1 in 25 NIDDM patients without hypertension and/or renal dysfunction. RESULTS: The plasma levels of ir-ET-1 in NIDDM patients with simple (n = 8) and proliferative (n = 8) retinopathy were 0.58 +/- 0.04 pM and 0.60 +/- 0.04 pM, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in normal, nondiabetic subjects (0.24 +/- 0.02 pM [n = 31]) and NIDDM patients without retinopathy (0.30 +/- 0.05 pM [n = 9]). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plasma ET-1 is related to diabetic microvascular disease.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1992

[Clinical application of anti double-stranded and single-stranded DNA antibodies measurements by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using E. coli plasmid DNA].

Anti double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA IgG antibodies were detected in patients with various connective tissue diseases by RECOMBIGEN ELISA Anti ds-DNA Kit and ELISA Anti ss-DNA Kit (Nippon DPC Co) using E. coli plasmid DNA. High levels of anti ds-DNA and anti ss-DNA antibodies were mostly found and distributed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) and allied disorders. The sensitivity of Anti ds-DNA Kit was higher than that of current ELISA kit using calf thymus DNA antigen. In SLE patients with anti DNA antibodies sixty per cent of sera were reacted with both ds- and ss-DNA antigens, and forty per cent of sera were reacted only with ss-DNA antigen; there was no sample reacted positively with ds-DNA antigen alone. RECOMBIGEN ELISA Anti ds-DNA Kit and ELISA Anti ss-DNA Kit are highly sensitive and useful methods to detect anti ds- and/or ss-DNA IgG antibodies in patients with SLE.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

PubMed1992

Expression and assembly of Torpedo californica (Na,K)ATPase alpha-subunit truncated at N-terminal end in Xenopus oocytes.

cDNAs for mutant alpha-subunits of Torpedo californica (Na,K)ATPase variously truncated at the N-terminal end were constructed and transcribed in vitro. Each of the mRNAs thus synthesized was co-injected into Xenopus oocytes together with mRNA for wild-type beta-subunit. Truncation of the alpha-subunit at trypsin accessible site T2(removal of the N-terminal 36 residues, alpha delta K37) led to a decrease in ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and ouabain-binding capacity, leaving the amount of immunoprecipitable alpha-subunit unchanged. The Km values for Na+ and K+ of alpha delta K37 were about 10mM and 2mM, respectively, and fall in the same range for the wild-type ATPase. Truncation of the alpha-subunit leaving lysine-54(alpha delta K54) or alanine-79(alpha delta A79) resulted in the loss of the ATPase activity as well as a substantial decrease in the amount of immunoprecipitable alpha-subunit. Since the beta-subunit assembles with and thereby stabilizes the alpha-subunit, which is otherwise degraded rapidly, these results suggest that the segment of the alpha-subunit between lysine-37 and lysine-54 is involved in the assembly with the beta-subunit leading to the formation of the stable and active alpha beta complex.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Type I, type III, and type IV collagenolytic enzyme activity in lung cancer tissue].

To investigate the changes of collagen metabolism in patients with lung cancer, activities of types I, III, and IV collagenolytic enzymes in specimens obtained from lung cancer tissue and pathomorphological changes of the corresponding specimens were analyzed. And the comparison of the biochemical and morphological changes were evaluated. Nine resected pulmonary carcinomas were used and 5 samples were obtained from each carcinoma tissue. In each sample, types I, III, and IV enzyme activities were measured and its histopathological examination was done. Enzyme activities of 5 samples from the same carcinoma tissue were considerably different in all subtype of collagenolytic enzymes. The relationship between each collagenolytic enzyme activity of these samples and their histopathological findings are as follows: 1) No relationship is found between the amount of carcinoma cells in cancer tissue and enzyme activity in any subtype, 2) increase in the fibrosis in cancer tissue is accompanied by decrease in type I collagenolytic enzyme activity, 3) the substantial increase in inflammatory cells coexisting with carcinoma is accompanied by increase in types I and III collagenolytic enzyme activities. Moreover, type III collagenolytic enzyme activity elevates significantly when inflammatory cells infiltrate among carcinoma cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1992

Detection of three separate DNA polymorphisms in the human lipoprotein lipase gene by gene amplification and restriction endonuclease digestion.

A rapid detection method was developed for DNA polymorphisms in the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene. The examined polymorphisms include an A-C transversion in the 5'-region of intron 3, a T-G transversion that occurs within a Hind III site of intron 8, and the previously described C-T transition that causes a Pvu II polymorphism in intron 6. Gene fragments encompassing each polymorphic site were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digested with an appropriate restriction enzyme whose recognition site was either naturally affected by the polymorphism or artificially created with a mismatched PCR-primer. According to the digestion profiles, genotypes were unambiguously distinguished. With this method, respective allelic frequencies were determined for 50 or 70 normal subjects. The procedure will facilitate LPL genotyping in the large population.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1992

[Reassessment of measurement of anti double-stranded DNA antibodies by Farr's assay using double-stranded DNA from E. coli and application of DNA binding Activities in high salt solution].

Farr's assay using double-stranded (ds) DNA from E. coli is a most sensitive and specific method for the detection of anti ds-DNA antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because of the lack of sufficient DNA antigens, however, final antibody titers were hardly determined when the sera contained antibodies titered more than 100U/ml (or more than 60 per cent by DNA binding activities). In such sera DNA binding activities were measured by using ds-DNA tracer adjusted final concentration of NaCl to 125 mM. Higher binding activities measured by high-salt tracer are obtained significantly in SLE patients groups with nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria, cast, renal failure, diffuse proliferative nephritis, low serum complement levels, anemia and/or low IgG/IgA levels compared with the patients who lacked these clinical findings. In contrast the patients with digital rash or cramp showed significantly lower high-salt binding activities. The patients with pleuropericarditis tended to have lower bindings. The non-lupus patients including MCTD also had lower levels. These clinical characteristics could not be evaluated by standard Farr's assay. High-salt bindings suggest the presence of high avidity antibodies and also partly may mean the high levels of low avidity antibodies. The application of high-salt binding activities, thus, is a useful tool for the evaluation of clinical characteristics of SLE patients who had high levels of anti ds-DNA antibodies by standard Farr's assay.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

PubMed1992

The association between salt sensitivity of blood pressure and family history of hypertension.

1. The salt sensitivity index (SSI) and family history of hypertension were studied in 140 hospitalized patients with essential hypertension to clarify whether salt sensitivity of blood pressure is related to familial disposition to hypertension. 2. SSI was calculated by dividing the change of mean blood pressure by that of urinary sodium excretion when salt intake was restricted from 15 to less than 3 g/day. 3. Family history of hypertension was classified into three groups depending on the presence or absence of hypertension in the father, mother and siblings. 4. The group without a family history of hypertension showed a significantly lower SSI value than other groups. 5. In multiple regression analysis undertaken within each gender, SSI showed significant partial correlations with blood pressure and family history of hypertension in the female group (r = 0.402 and 0.265, respectively), whereas in the male group it showed a positive correlation only with blood pressure (r = 0.501). These results indicate that salt sensitivity of blood pressure is related to familial disposition to hypertension. This association was more apparent in the female than male group and its gender difference can be partially attributed to the fact that blood pressure in the female group is more sensitive to salt.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed1992

[Clinical assessment of 99mTc-HMPAO scintigraphy in thoracic tumors].

99mTc-hexamethylpropylene amineoxime (99mTc-HMPAO) scintigraphy was performed in 15 malignant tumors in 11 patients and a patient with bronchopneumonia. A high 99mTc-HMPAO affinity for the tumors was observed on SPECT, however, the mean tumor/contralateral normal lung ratios of 99mTc-HMPAO activity (1.26) was lower than that of 201Tl-chloride (2.29). 99mTc-HMPAO uptake was seen not only in the tumors but also in the bronchopneumonia, atelectasis, and irradiated lung (containing radiation fibrosis). Moreover, a diffuse uptake in the lung was seen in a patient received repeated chemotherapy. Therefore, it is emphasized that there is a non-specific 99mTc-HMPAO uptake in those various pulmonary conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Molecular cloning of the human cDNA for a stimulatory GDP/GTP exchange protein for c-Ki-ras p21 and smg p21.

We have previously purified smg GDP dissociation stimulator (GDS) from bovine brain and isolated its cDNA from a bovine brain cDNA library. smg GDS stimulates the GDP/GTP exchange reaction of a group of small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), including at least c-Ki-ras p21, smg p21A, smg p21B, rhoA p21 and rhoB p21, by stimulating the dissociation of GDP from and the subsequent binding of GTP to each small G protein. In this study, we have isolated and sequenced the cDNA of smg GDS from a human brain cDNA library using the cloned bovine smg GDS cDNA. The cDNA has an open reading frame encoding a protein of 558 amino acids with a calculated Mr value of 61,122. Human smg GDS shares 93% nucleotide and 96% amino acid sequence homologies with bovine smg GDS. The isolated cDNA is expressed in Escherichia coli, and the encoded protein shows the physical and functional properties similar to those of bovine smg GDS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy using implantable reservoir for liver metastasis of the lung cancer--an effective case].

A 70-year-old man, who had undergone operation for primary lung adenocarcinoma one and a half year ago, was readmitted to our hospital for back pain. The CT scan revealed liver, vertebrae and lymph nodes metastases. Because of severe back pain, irradiation to the thoracic vertebrae was performed first. Next, a catheter was inserted into the hepatic artery and an implantable reservoir for intra-arterial chemotherapy was also left in the subcutaneous tissue to treat the liver metastasis. Mitomycin C was injected intermittently in the hepatic artery more than 10 times. The liver metastasis became necrotic and almost disappeared. The patient was free from the back pain and there was no evidence of regrowth of the liver metastasis at the time of this report, which was 14 months after the discovery of the liver metastasis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1992

[Two cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia on MRI].

Lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia have rarely been reported in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). We experienced 2 cases of ADEM, in which MRI showed lesions in the thalamus or basal ganglia. Case 1, a 4-year-old boy, had gait disturbance, hyperesthesia and hyperreflexia. MRI (T2 weighted image) showed multiple high intensity areas in the right frontal lobe, bilateral parietal lobes and bilateral thalami. Case 2, a 4-year-old girl, complained of gait disturbance following a febrile episode, and displayed hyperreflexia. Several days later, she had visual disturbance of the left eye. MRI (T2 weighted image) revealed multiple high intensity areas in the dentate nucleus of left cerebellum, left occipital lobe, bilateral caudate nuclei, and the anterior part of bilateral lenticular nuclei. In both cases, CT could not demonstrate these lesions. Both of them were treated with corticosteroid and recovered rapidly. They had no recurrence. MRI is useful in diagnosis and follow-up of ADEM and may reveal lesions other than cerebral or cerebellar white matters.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

[11-Dehydro-TXB2 and 2,3-dinor-TXB2 as new parameters of TXA2 generation].

Artifactual formation of thromboxane (TX) B2 during blood collection falsifies real value of TXB2 in plasma. A part (29.3%) of TXB2 is metabolized to 11-dehydro (DH)-TXB2 in several organs. 11-DH-TXB2 was not generated during blood collection or during serum formation. The peak amount of 11-DH-TXB2 after intravenous injection of TXB2 to rabbits was lower than that of TXB2, but the level of 11-DH-TXB2 was kept 2-3 times higher than that of TXB2 even after more than 5 min. A half life of 11-DH-TXB2 is 45-60 min in the human. Large species differences were found. In human urine, 11-DH-TXB2 was excreted 1.5-5.8 times more than 2,3-dinor-TXB2. Patients with ARDS and DIC, who received platelet transfusion, excreted increased amounts of 2,3-dinor-TXB2 and 11-DH-TXB2 in urine. 11-DH-TXB2 may be a useful parameter of TXA2 formation in pathological states.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

[Local recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma effectively treated by local injection of OK-432].

Local recurrence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a 67-year-old woman was treated by topical injection of OK-432 every 2-4 weeks. Recurrent tumors turned into small scar-like tissues after 9 months of OK-432 administration. The bleeding from the tumor was well controlled. Secondary recurrent tumors were also effectively treated in the same manner. About 2 years have passed since the start of the treatment and the local recurrence is well controlled. We conclude that topical injection of OK-432 might be a good modality of treatment for the local recurrence of thyroid carcinoma.

Carcinoma↗