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Biomedical subjects

N Kurihara

Publications and source records attributed to N Kurihara.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Pulmonary actinomycosis--diagnosis and therapy based on past reports of actinomycosis].

A 57-year-old man who complained of bloody sputum was admitted to the hospital because of a spherical mass on a chest X-ray film. Despite a detailed examination, no definitive diagnosis was obtained, and a left lower lobectomy was done. Histopathologic examination of tissue from the resected lobe revealed sulfur granules and branching filamentous bacteria, and therefore pulmonary actinomycosis was diagnosed. Examination of reports published in Japan in the last five years suggested a slight increase in the frequency of diagnosis before treatment of actinomycosis and a slight decrease in the frequency of surgical treatment. However, these changes are not surprising because the frequency of surgical treatment is 58%. These findings suggest that pulmonary actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mass on a chest X-ray film.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1996

[Estimation of safety and toxicity of rho-nitrophenol sodium with a physiologically based pharmacokinetics model].

The safety and toxicity of chemicals given first to animals and finally to humans are generally estimated with a method of safe coefficient, which lacks scientific ground. To change the traditional method, we designed a physiologically based pharmacokinetics model (PBPK) for the estimation of safety and toxicity of chemicals. For example, rho-nitrophenol sodium (PNP-Na) was used. The PNP-Na pharmacokinetics in bodies of rat as well as humans were studied, and possibilities of making use of the model in the estimation of safety and toxicity of chemicals were also discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Sandwich immunoassay specific for the N-terminal sequence of osteocalcin.

A monoclonal antibody (10B) against the N-terminal sequence of human osteocalcin was selected to characterize its epitope and species specificity. The cross-reactivity of 10B with human and rat osteocalcin demonstrated that the reactivities of 10B with both human and rat osteocalcins were very similar. The pin technology method was used to determine the epitope and clearly demonstrated that the epitope recognized by 10B was localized to residues 12-16, the sequence of which is identical in rat and human osteocalcin molecules. This monoclonal antibody was found to be useful for designing region-specific sandwich immunoassay systems for human and rat N-terminal osteocalcin (N-OC) molecules using rabbit anti-hN20 and anti-rN20 polyclonal antibodies, respectively. The osteocalcin levels in serum determined by this N-OC method were stable during prolonged storage at 25 degrees C and the method could be usefully applied in the development of immunoassay systems for many osteocalcin molecules from many other species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Adrenomedullin inhibits the secretion of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, a member of the interleukin-8 family, from rat alveolar macrophages.

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of adrenomedullin (AM) on the secretion of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), a member of the interleukin-8 family, from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rat alveolar macrophages in vitro. AM significantly increased cAMP levels in alveolar macrophages in a dose-dependent fashion. On the other hand, AM significantly inhibited CINC secretion from alveolar macrophages in a dose-dependent fashion, and 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) also significantly inhibited CINC secretion. These findings suggest that AM may play important roles in the regulation of airway inflammation via a cAMP-dependent mechanism.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1995

Angiotensin II stimulates production of nitric oxide in guinea pig airways via AT1 receptor activation.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) regulate a variety of physiological functions. In this study, we suggest that inhaled Ang II produces an initial bronchodilation apparently by stimulating NO production via AT1 receptors. Also, we demonstrate that following the initial bronchodilation, Ang II causes bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig, also via AT1 receptors. Both of the findings are important for our understanding of airway functions induced by Ang II.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1995

Antitumor activity of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) depends on its time x concentration product against human gastric cancer cell lines in vitro.

A pharmacodynamic study of cisplatin (DDP) was conducted using the gastric cancer cell lines MKN-45 and MKN-74 in vitro. Ten thousand tumor cells were incubated with 0.4-500 micrograms/ml DDP for 1-25 h, followed by recovery culture for a further 48 h. At the end of incubation, cell viability was detected by the MTT end-point, and the inhibition rate was compared in relation to the incubation time, DDP concentration, and the time X concentration product (area under the curve in vitro: AUC vitro). In both of the cell lines, the IC50 and IC90 values decreased as the exposure time increased, going a linear curve with a slope of almost -1, and showing a typical log-log AUC vitro-dependent curve. These results indicate that the antitumor activity of DDP is dependent on its AUC vitro, suggesting the clinical usefulness of this drug when administered daily in small divided doses.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of bronchodilator responses to adrenomedullin and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide.

This study was designed to determine and compare airway responses to synthetic human adrenomedullin(AM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) in anesthetized guinea pigs in vivo. 10(-7) M AM and PAMP significantly inhibited acetylcholine-and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. However, this significant bronchodilator effect of PAMP lasted about five minutes, which was much shorter than that of AM. In addition, the bronchodilator effect of AM is approximately 100-fold more potent than PAMP. We demonstrated that PAMP had a potent bronchodilator activity, and induced a rapid and short-lasting bronchodilation. These findings suggest that AM and PAMP may play important roles in airway functions.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

Activity of ecdysone analogs in enhancing N-acetylglucosamine incorporation into the cultured integument of Chilo suppressalis.

Ecdysone analogs with various side chains at the 17-position of the steroid structure enhanced the incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine as 20-hydroxyecdysone into the cultured integument prepared from Chilo suppressalis. Their activity in terms of the concentration required to give 50% of the maximum response varied with the structure. Piperonyl butoxide, an inhibitor of oxidation metabolism, did not enhance the in vitro effect of the compounds. The order of potency was ponasterone A > 20-hydroxyecdysone > cyasterone > inokosterone > makisterone A >> ecdysone.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1995

Angiotensin II stimulates peptide leukotriene production by guinea pig airway via the AT1 receptor pathway.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates a variety of physiological functions, including contraction of smooth muscle. Peptide leukotrienes (LTs) have recently been reported to be potent bronchoconstrictors and may play a role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation. However, the possibility that Ang II and peptide LTs interact in the control of airway function has not been studied. In this study, we showed that Ang II receptors are present on guinea pig airway, and that they are of the AT1 subtype. We showed the possibility that Ang II induced the release of peptide LTs from guinea pig airway by activation of the AT1 receptor pathway. Our findings thus suggest that interaction between Ang II and peptide LTs might increase airway inflammation in the guinea pig.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1995

Brain natriuretic peptide as a marker for hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy: changes during 1-year antihypertensive therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

PURPOSE: Secretion of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a cardiac hormone, is accelerated via hypertrophied ventricles in experimental hypertension. The present study examined whether regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy by long-term treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) affects plasma BNP concentration in patients with essential hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one hypertensive patients with LV hypertrophy were treated with ACEI (16 with enalapril; 15 with lisinopril) for 1 year. Serial changes were recorded in LV mass index, LV systolic function, and plasma concentrations of BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). RESULTS: ACEI therapy significantly reduced LV mass index at 6 months, and more so at 1 year. Septal and posterior wall thicknesses were also reduced. Plasma BNP and ANP were markedly elevated at study entry, but only BNP levels correlated with LV mass index. Both peptide levels declined after 6 months, and this decline was enhanced at 1 year. There was a close relation between BNP decline and LV mass index reduction overall and with enalapril and lisinopril separately. Changes in ANP and in LV mass index were not related. CONCLUSION: Long-term ACEI therapy can reduce elevated plasma BNP. In this study, changes in BNP reflected the magnitude of regression of LVH. Plasma BNP may be a useful marker for LVH during antihypertensive therapy in patients with essential hypertension and LVH.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1995

Pretreatment of animal wastes containing radioisotopes with dry-distillation.

Mice that had been radiolabeled with one of seven isotopes by intraperitoneal or subcutaneous administration were dry-distilled at 800 degrees C for 10 min, and the fate of the radionuclide was examined. The radionuclides administered were 3H, 14C, 32P, 35S, 45Ca, 51Cr, and 125I, all of which are commonly used in animal experiments. After dry-distillation, 95% of 3H was found in the distillate (condensate), and 80% and 16% of 14C were recovered from exhaust gas and residual solids, respectively. Only between 10 and 20% of 35S was found in distillate. The remainder of the residual 35S was recovered from the inner wall of the exhaust vent of the dry-distillation equipment. About 24% of 125I was also recovered from the inner wall of this same exhaust vent, and the residual radioactive materials were recovered from the residual solids. On the other hand, 32P, 45Ca, and 51Cr were recovered entirely from the residual solids. The weight of the animals decreased to about 10%, and the volume to about 20% (mice and rats) to 40% (rabbits) after dry-distillation. The residual solids of animal wastes generated by dry-distillation were odorless and chemically and biologically stable. Dry-distillation has many merits as a pretreatment for the disposal of animal wastes containing radioactive material because of the easy handling, storage, and transportation of the residual solids.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Thrombomodulin in exercise-induced asthma.

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a membrane protein present in the vascular endothelium. It has also been found in human plasma, within which, however, its pathological functions have not been clearly described. In this study, the plasma TM concentrations in 19 asthmatic patients were determined by sandwich enzyme immunoassay using two monoclonal antibodies for human TM. The concentration of plasma TM in exercise-induced asthma (EIA)-positive asthmatic patients was significantly increased by exercise challenge. In addition, for these patients a positive correlation was found between the severity of EIA and the degree of change in plasma TM induced by exercise challenge. These findings suggest that the increase in influx of TM into the plasma in EIA-positive asthmatics may be due to generalized pulmonary endothelial damage following exercise challenge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Successful prophylaxis of wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis with terfenadine.

A 20-year-old female was brought to our emergency unit with generalized erythema and discomfort induced by running after having eaten wheat bread. The laboratory examinations, including eosinophils, total IgE, RAST score to wheat, heat challenge test and methacholine inhalation test were within normal limits. No anaphylactoid responses occurred after provocation tests of wheat bread intake or exercise alone. However, on provocation exercise test after eating pancakes, she developed hypotension, generalized itching and urticaria associated with an elevation of plasma histamine levels. These findings suggested wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. This was completely prevented by daily administration of terfenadine 120 mg p.o. without side effects such as fatigue or drowsiness.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The macrolide antibacterial roxithromycin reduces bronchial hyperresponsiveness and superoxide anion production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients with asthma.

We investigated the effects of a macrolide antibacterial, roxithromycin, on the generation of free radicals by peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and on the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Ten asthmatic patients were treated for 3 months with roxithromycin, 150 mg orally once daily; such treatment significantly reduced the production of superoxide anion by PMNs (p = 0.0029) and reduced the bronchial hyperreactivity (p = 0.0016), as compared with results in healthy controls. Most of the patients required at least 2 months of treatment with roxithromycin for clinical improvement. We conclude that long-term, low-dose administration of roxithromycin may be useful in treatment of patients with bronchial asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Zinc].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Adrenomedullin, a newly discovered hypotensive peptide, is a potent bronchodilator.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of adrenomedullin (AM), a novel vasorelaxant peptide originally isolated from human pheochromocytoma, on histamine- or acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in anesthetized guinea pigs in vivo. AM significantly inhibited acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction in a dose-dependent fashion. AM also significantly inhibited histamine-induced bronchoconstriction, but 10(-10) M AM had no significant inhibitory effect on this response. We also found that AM induced a long-lasting bronchodilator response, while isoproterenol induced transient bronchodilation. These preliminary findings suggest that AM may play important roles in airway function.

Acetylcholine↗