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Biomedical subjects

N Kurata

Publications and source records attributed to N Kurata.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[A case of sarcoidosis with renal failure as the main manifestation in granulomatous interstitial nephritis].

A 39-year-old woman was consulted to our hospital because of renal failure on October 1992. A chest X-ray showed no abnormal shadow. Subsequently, she was under conservative treatment until December 1993, when she began to notice clouded vision. The iridocyclitis in both eyes was diagnosed by a ophthalmologist. She was admitted to our hospital for the purpose of a renal biopsy. Laboratory tests revealed renal failure: a creatinine clearance of 24.5 ml/min, a serum level of creatinine of 3.2 mg/ml and blood urea nitrogen of 38.7 mg/dl. The angiotensin converting enzyme was 17.6 IU/ml (normal 8.3 approximately 21.4 IU/ml), but lysozyme was 49.5 micrograms/ml (normal 5.0 approximately 10.2). Mantoux's reaction was negative. 57Ga scintigram showed abnormal uptakes on eyes, bilateral salivary gland, both thighs, both kidneys, and in a part of lung field. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed non-caseating histiocytic granulomas with diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils into interstitium. Glomeruli were ischemic and mild endocapillary proliferations with pericapsular fibrosis were seen. Both of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and skin biopsy also revealed non-caseating histiocytic granulomas. Oral administration of prednisolone, 40 mg/day, improved the level of serum creatinine and lysozyme. Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that may involve any organ or tissue of the body. The clinical picture dominating in adults is the one with pulmonary and mediastinal lymph node involvement, eye and skin lesions. Although the renal involvement were rarely encountered, the present case showed that the renal failure was one of the most important clinical feature in patient with sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Detection of anti small nuclear ribonucleoprotein antibody in patients with collagen disease--a comparison of sensitivities of four methods].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity of four techniques that can detect the presence of anti small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) antibodies. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sera from eighty three patients with connective tissue disease were positive for antinuclear antibody by indirect immunofluorescence test. Patients consisted of 30 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, 19 of rheumatoid arthritis, 9 of mixed connective tissue disease, 8 of systemic sclerosis, 3 of polymyositis, 13 of Sjögren syndrome, 1 of unclassified connective tissue disease. Four methods including double immunodiffusion (DID), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (EIA), immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunoblotting (IB) were compared concerning their sensitivities of detecting anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies in these sera. RESULTS: Overall sensitivities for detecting the presence of each antibody were similar among four methods (DID: 32/83, EIA: 43/83, IP: 44/83, IB: 35/83). Concordance ratio of positive patterns between DID and EIA was 63/83 (81.9%). However, both EIA and IP could detect anti-U1 RNP antibody with higher sensitivity than DID. Although EIA seemed to detect anti-Sm antibody most sensitively in all methods, a coincidental decrease of specificity might be considered. IB could not classify anti-snRNP antibodies into anti-Sm and/or anti-RNP antibody because these antibodies might share some antigenic peptides of snRNP. Analysis of RNA in immunoprecipitate could not discriminate anti-RNP antibodies from anti-Sm antibodies because of shared RNA epitopes (e.g., U1-RNA, U1U2-RNA). CONCLUSION: These results suggested that EIA might be the most suitable method for detecting anti-RNP antibody and that several methods should be combined for detecting anti-Sm antibody.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1995

[Multiple colonic ulcers in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome].

A 25-year-old female with Sjögren's syndrome was admitted to our hospital because of fever and abdominal pain. Multiple colonic ulcers were demonstrated by gastrographin enema and colonoscopy. Histological examination revealed the presence of necrotizing vasculitis in the submucosal region. Large dose of prednisolone (60 mg/day) brought a prompt relief of her symptoms and an improvement of positive inflammatory signs. Pseudoaneurysm in the arteria colica media, which had been demonstrated by abdominal selective angiography at the time of diagnosis, became extinct after the steroid treatment. Healing of ulcers were also noted by colonoscopy. A variety of extraglandular symptoms has been reported in Sjögren's syndrome. Multiple colonic ulcers due to vasculitis are rarely complicated but may have a great impact on the prognosis of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pharmacokinetic study of trimethadione and its metabolite in blood, liver and brain by microdialysis in conscious, unrestrained rats.

A microdialysis method has been developed in the past two decades to determine levels of drug and endogenous compounds in several organs under physiological conditions. In this study, we determined the pharmacokinetics of the model drug, trimethadione (TMO), and its only metabolite, dimethadione (DMO), in liver, blood and brain by the microdialysis method in freely-moving rats. Sampling times were extended up to 24 hours. The construction of a newly developed microdialysis probe for liver and blood is described. The elimination patterns of TMO in liver, blood and brain dialyzates were almost identical and the calculated t1/2 was approximately 3 hr in each sample. However, in brain, tmax was delayed compared with the others while the relative concentration of DMO (AUC0-24h) was lower in brain compared with liver and blood. These studies suggest that this concurrent and successive microdialysis sampling method will not only be a useful tool for pharmacokinetic and drug metabolism studies in the organs of small animals but will also decrease the number of experimental animals needed for a study.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Adenosine deaminase].

Adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4; ADA) activity is widely distributed in human tissues and is highest in lymphoid tissues. Two ADA isozymes are known as ADA1 and ADA2. Human tissue extracts contained ADA1 predominantly. Meanwhile, ADA2 was the main component of serum ADA. ADA activity was significantly elevated in the sera from patients with hepatic diseases, hematological malignancies and infectious diseases. Serum concentrations of ADA1 were high in patients with acute leukemias, chronic myeloid blast crisis leukemia and acute liver injury. Serum ADA2 levels were raised in patients with adult T-cell leukemia, multiple myeloma (B-J type), infectious mononucleosis, rubella, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, chronic hepatic diseases and tuberculosis. It is supposed that ADA1 is derived mainly from injured tissues or cells while ADA2 comes from stimulated T-cells.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1995

[Application of microdialysis for pharmacokinetic study in rabbit anterior chamber].

We evaluated a microdialysis technique for analyzing the pharmacokinetics of instilled or orally administered ofloxacin in the anterior chamber of pigmented rabbits. A microdialysis probe was inserted into the anterior chamber and was perfused (2 microliters/min) with Ringer solution using a microinjection pump. Two hours later, 20 microliters of 0.15 and 0.3% ofloxacin was instilled into an eye, or 20 mg/kg of the drug was administered into the stomach through an intubated catheter. Dialysate was then collected every 15 or 20 min for 6 (instillation) or 8 (oral administration) hours. Ofloxacin concentration in dialysates was determined with a HPLC-spectrofluorometry system. Ofloxacin levels in dialysates increased after the instillation in a dose-related manner, reached a maximum at 30 and 45 min, and then decreased gradually with t1/2 of 136 and 114 min after the 0.15% and 0.3% instillation, respectively. After oral administration, ofloxacin levels in dialysates reached a maximum at 120 min and decreased with t1/2 of 175 min. These data suggest the usefulness of microdialysis for pharmacokinetic studies in the anterior chamber, since continuous and stable data can be obtained from each animal.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The effects of inhibitors and substrates of different types of cytochrome P450 isozymes on serum dimethadione/trimethadione ratio in rats in vivo.

Trimethadione(TMO) is regarded as a model drug for estimating the hepatic drug oxidative capacity in vivo. However, the P450 isozymes that are responsible for TMO N-demethylation have not been identified clearly yet. This study was designed to determine these P450 isozymes that participate in the TMO N-demethylation in vivo by employing several typical P450 inhibitors and substrates. Male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were pretreated with P450 inhibitors or substrates before TMO(100mg/kg, p.o.) treatment. Serum dimethadione(DMO)/TMO ratios were employed for the assessment of metabolic capacity toward TMO. Pretreatment with imidazole and acetone significantly decreased the DMO/TMO ratios in a dose related manner. Weaker inhibitory effects were observed with SKF525A. However, pretreatment with alpha-naphthoflavone, quinine, debrisoquine, triacetyloleandomycin and lauric acid did not affect the ratios. These results suggest that various forms of P450 are involved in TMO metabolism to some extent and that CYP2E1 is attributed to major P450 isozyme for TMO N-demethylation in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Mutations in the v-mos gene abolish its ability to induce differentiation but not transformation.

The v-mos oncogene product has the ability to induce differentiation in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells, thereby arresting cell proliferation, and also exhibits transforming activity in mouse NIH3T3 cells. Mutation in the v-mos gene consisting of one or two amino acid substitutions in the putative ATP-binding domain impaired its differentiation-inducing activity although mutant proteins showed rather higher levels of autophosphorylation in vitro. Macrophage-specific characteristics such as their morphology, expression of C3b receptor and Fc receptor, and production of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were equally diminished in cells transfected with mutant mos genes when compared to those with intact v-mos. The ability of the gene to arrest the proliferation of U937 cells was likewise diminished, while the transforming efficiency of the intact and mutant mos genes were essentially the same. These results suggest that the mos product functions differently in cell differentiation and transformation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1994

Effect of low-dose cyclosporin A on systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of low-dose cyclosporin A (CSA) treatment on disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: All patients in the study had active disease as defined by at least the presence of a low CH50 level. Patients were initially given 3 mg/kg/day of CSA. Dosages were adjusted individually at every visit, according to both clinical and laboratory data. RESULTS: Eleven women with SLE were enrolled in the study; 10 were evaluable. After 20 weeks of CSA treatment, the mean score for disease activity on the SLE Disease Activity Index decreased significantly, from 10.6 to 3.8 (P = 0.02). The titer of antinuclear antibodies decreased in 8 patients and the level of anti-DNA antibodies decreased in 5. Side effects included hypertension (40%), hypertrichosis (30%), gingival hypertrophy (10%), and a rise in the blood urea nitrogen level. Serum creatinine levels remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The favorable responses observed in our patients strongly suggest that low-dose CSA can reduce the disease activity of SLE.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A 300 kilobase interval genetic map of rice including 883 expressed sequences.

We have constructed a high resolution rice genetic map containing 1,383 DNA markers at an average interval of 300 kilobases (kb). The markers, distributed along 1,575 cM on 12 linkage groups, comprise 883 cDNAs, 265 genomic DNAs, 147 randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPD) and 88 other DNAs. cDNAs were derived from rice root and callus, analysed by single-run sequencing and searched for similarities with known proteins. Nearly 260 rice genes are newly identified and mapped, and genomic DNA and cloned RAPD fragments were also sequenced to generate STSs. Our map is the first significant gene expression map in plants. It is also the densest genetic map available in plants and the first to be backed up comprehensively by clone sequence data.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and mapping of telomere-associated sequences from rice.

We have isolated three telomere-associated sequences from rice using cassette-ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Each of the obtained clones hybridized to the terminal of one or several rice chromosome arms. The telomeres recognized by the clones displayed a high level of polymorphism between two rice varieties, Nipponbare (a japonica variety) and Kasalath (an indica variety). Variability in the chromosome termini was also detected among individual F2 progeny plants, which were derived from a cross between the two rice varieties. One clone containing telomere-associated sequences was located to one end of chromosome 5, and another clone to one end of chromosome 11. For another clone, non-allelic segregation of polymorphic hybridization bands was observed between japonica and indica rice; this clone was mapped to one end of chromosome 12 in japonica and to one end of chromosome 11 in indica rice. This indicates an exchange of termini between nonhomologous chromosomes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Human neuroblastoma cells produce the NF-kappa B-like HIV-1 transcription activator during differentiation.

Human neuroblastoma GOTO and IMR32 cells differentiate into neural cells on treatment with 5-BrdU. Here we report that in association with differentiation induced by 5-BrdU, the transcription of HIV-1 was activated in both neuroblastoma cell lines. An NF-kappa B-like factor was also found to be produced in association with the neural cell differentiation of these cells. These results suggest that, during differentiation of neural cells, an NF-kappa B-like factor was produced, and that when the neural cells are infected with HIV-1 the production of NF-kappa B results in activation of transcription of HIV-1. Thus this NF-kappa B-like factor may be involved in the mechanism causing AIDS dementia.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

[Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in rheumatoid arthritis].

In order to clarify the pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in 52 RA patients, in conjunction with pulmonary function test (PFT) and high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the chest. The results were as follows: 1. Out of nine RA patients with no evidence of lung involvement on HRCT, six (66.7%) showed abnormal differentials of the cells obtained through BAL. 2. RA patients with advanced interstitial lung disease on HRCT had significantly higher BAL fluid (BALF) cellular concentrations, increased percentage of BALF neutrophils and decreased BALF CD 4/CD 8 ratio, as compared with those with no or mild lung involvement. 3. In the non-smoking RA patients who also demonstrated no obstructive patterns on PFT, positive correlations were observed between %VC and the BALF CD4/CD 8 ratio (R = 0.481) as well as the BALF CD4+Leu8- (helper T) cell ratio (R = 0.497). On the other hand, a negative correlation was detected between %VC and the BALF CD8+CD11b- (cytotoxic T) cell ratio (R = -0.533). 4. In those with the increased percentage of BALF eosinophils and/or with increased BALF CD4/CD8 ratio, V25/Ht was depressed significantly, as compared with other patients. Likewise, those with severely depressed value of V25/Ht tended to have significantly elevated BALF CD4/CD8 ratio, as compared with other patients with normal V25/Ht value. Thus, through these detailed studies of BAL cellular differentials and BALF lymphocyte subsets, the diversity of pulmonary involvement was well demonstrated in RA.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Antipyrine concentrations in liver and blood monitored by microdialysis of unrestrained conscious rats.

A newly developed microdialysis probe for measurement of drugs in unrestrained, conscious animals was used for quantitation of antipyrine in liver and blood of rats. Microdialysis probe were implanted in the liver and right jugular vein of rats; antipyrine was then administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg i.p. The concentration of antipyrine was determined in the fluid from the two probes and compared with measurement made on blood drawn from the left jugular vein. The elimination half lives in serum, blood dialysate and hepatic dialysate were 2.24 +/- 0.09, 2.06 +/- 0.31 and 2.10 +/- 0.32 hrs, respectively; there were not significantly different statistically. The concentration of Na+, K+ and Cl- in the hepatic dialysate was stable at least for up to 12 hrs in anesthetized rats. In unrestrained, conscious animals these electrolytes were stable in hepatic dialysate for at least 48 hrs. Therefore, the microprobe should be useful for analysis of drugs in extra cellular fluids of rats liver for up to 48 hrs. These studies suggest that this microdialysis technique by employing the newly developed probe will be useful in many studies on pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism in the organ.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1992

[Activities and isozymes of adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase in tuberculous pleural effusion with special reference to the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis].

We have previously shown that tuberculous pleurisy possesses a high level of adenosine deaminase (ADA) which is predominantly composed of ADA2. In this paper, we report the cases of tuberculous pleural effusion which contained mainly ADA1. In these cases, mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive by smear examination and/or culture and granulocytes were found to be major components. Analysis of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) revealed that its activity was high and LDH5 occupied about 50% of total activity. In the tubercle bacillus negative cases, lymphocytes were the main components and the levels of LDH containing mostly LDH3 were low. It was assumed that the difference in LDH activity and isozyme pattern is due to the differential presence of leukocytes in pleurisy i.e., granulocytes and lymphocytes in tubercle bacillus positive and negative pleurisy, respectively. In conclusion, tuberculous pleural effusions can be divided into two groups on the basis of ADA and LDH activities and isozymes which may reflect the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1991

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody to the v-mos oncogene protein.

Valuable information about proto-oncogenes and their physiological functions has been obtained by studying their expression in normal cells. However, the protein product of the c-mos gene, the cellular homologue of the transforming gene (v-mos) of Moloney murine sarcoma virus, has not been detected in normal mouse cells or tissues. Here, we have constructed a v-mos expression vector, pRI-delta mos, which directs the synthesis of a truncated v-mos gene product, a protein A fusion protein. Using the truncated v-mos oncoprotein produced in Escherichia coli as immunogen, we prepared anti-v-mos monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). In immunoblotting assays, the MAb was reactive with v-mos oncoprotein and detected bands at 43 KDa or 39 kDa in the tissue extract of mouse testes or ovaries, respectively, in which the c-mos protooncogene mRNA is expressed. These results demonstrate that the v-mos MAb obtained is suitable for elucidating the physiological functions of v-mos gene product and may also be utilized to detect c-mos gene product at the cellular level.

Animals↗