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Biomedical subjects

N Morikawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Morikawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Studies of lymphocyte subpopulations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in HTLV-I seropositive patients with uveitis].

To determine whether HTLV-I infection is associated with uveitis, we investigated the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cells in 23 patients with uveitis. Of these, sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 13 patients, but could not be confirmed in the remaining 10 patients (non-sarcoidosis). Three of 13 patients (23.1%) with sarcoidosis and 7 of 10 non-sarcoidosis patients (70.0%) were HTLV-I seropositive. In BALF, no significant differences were observed between the HTLV-I seropositive and seronegative patients. However, in non-sarcoidosis patients, total cell counts, CD3+ and CD+ HLA-DR+ cells in BALF were significantly higher in seropositive patients than in seronegative patients. CD3+ CD25+ cells in BALF were markedly increased in 3 of 7 non-sarcoidosis seronegative patients. These findings indicated that BALF lymphocytes in HTLV-I seropositive non-sarcoidosis patients were more activated than those in seronegative non-sarcoidosis patients, supporting the hypothesis that HTLV-I infection may be associated with uveitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Gastrin-releasing peptide-like immunoreactive substance in bronchoalveolar lavage of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

The neuropeptide gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) is present in the lung, and functions as a modulator of tissue growth and repair in fibrotic processes, or as a modulator of cell movement and differentiation in various inflammatory processes, including granulomatous ones. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), changes in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) content of GRP can be expected. We measured GRP-like immunoreactive substances (GRP-IS) and another neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-IS in BAL by enzyme immunoassay. Our results showed a decrease in BAL GRP-IS in patients with IPF (26.5 +/- 5.5 pg.mg-1 protein) and sarcoidosis (35.9 +/- 9.2 pg.mg-1), compared to healthy nonsmokers (63.4 +/- 9.0 pg.mg-1). When data were expressed as pg.ml-1 BAL fluid recovered, a decrease was only seen in IPF, not in sarcoidosis. The levels of VIP-IS in BAL were not different between the groups studied. Increased protein levels in BAL had no correlation with the levels of GRP-IS or VIP-IS in BAL. Furthermore, BAL neutrophil percentages had no correlation with the levels of GRP-IS in BAL of patients with IPF. Using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), several kinds of GRP-IS were detected in BAL. These findings suggest that the decreased level of GRP-IS in BAL may reflect a loss of GRP-producing cells due to chronic lung injury and fibrosis in patients with IPF.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Brevinin-1 and -2, unique antimicrobial peptides from the skin of the frog, Rana brevipoda porsa.

Two unique antimicrobial peptides named brevinin-1 and -2 were isolated from the skin of the frog, Rana brevipoda porsa. Both of the peptides did not have any structural homology with bombinin nor magainin; the frog skin derived-antimicrobial peptides isolated from Bombina and Xenopus, nor even with other known antimicrobial peptides of non-amphibian origin. The minimum inhibitory concentration of brevinin-1 against the growth of St. aureus and E. coli was determined to be 8 micrograms/ml and 34 micrograms/ml while that of brevinin-2 was 8 micrograms/ml and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively, indicating the difference of the two peptides in the antimicrobial selectively on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Effect of terfenadine on the plasma concentrations of substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in volunteers.

The effect of terfenadine on the plasma concentrations of substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied in 7 healthy subjects and 8 subjects with the common cold. Before terfenadine administration, the mean plasma substance P concentration of the subjects with the common cold was significantly higher than that of the healthy subjects. The increased mean plasma substance P concentration of the subjects with the common cold was decreased after terfenadine administration. In the healthy subjects, the mean plasma substance P concentration was unchanged by terfenadine administration. The mean plasma VIP concentration of the subjects with common cold was slightly higher than that of the healthy subjects before and after terfenadine administration, with no significant difference.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

[Determination of the neutrophil chemotactic factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis].

It is well known that erythromycin (EM) therapy is effective on chronic lower respiratory tract disease, including diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). In this study we investigated the relationship between clinical findings and neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in patients with DPB receiving orally EM therapy. The NCA in post-EM therapy BALF was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) compared with that in BALF before EM therapy (30.17 +/- 7.84% vs 53.05 +/- 10.65%). On the respiratory function before and after EM therapy, DPB patients (20 cases) showed significant improvement of %VC, FEV1.0, RV/TLC (p less than 0.001, each) and V25 (p less than 0.05). And on the post-EM therapy blood gas, PaO2 and AaDO2 level were confirmed to be significantly improved (p less than 0.001). In addition, we examined the correlation between the improvement ratio of clinical finding and the reduction of NCA in BALF after EM therapy in 10 patients with DPB. We found the significant correlation between the improvement ratio of PaO2 and the reduction NCA in BALF of those patients (p less than 0.05). There were no significant relationships between the improvement ratio in other parameters as stated above and the reduction of NCA in BALF. These findings indicate that EM restrains the NCA in BALF of patients with DPB and impairs the accumulation of neutrophils in respiratory tract, ultimately contributes to the improvement of clinical symptoms such as sputum and clinical findings such as PaO2 in patients with DPB.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for beta-endorphin in human plasma.

We established a highly sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for beta-endorphin (beta-EP). For competitive reactions, the beta-EP-antibody was incubated with beta-EP standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase-labeled beta-EP (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound labeled antigen were separated by using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G coated immunoplate. The enzyme activity on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The minimal detection limit was approximately 0.4fmol/well (10 pmol/l). Using this assay system, beta-EP-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in human plasma was determined. The level of beta-EP-LI in extracted human plasma from 6 normal subjects was 2.44 +/- 0.68 pmol/l. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the plasma of a normal subject revealed a single immunoreactive form which eluted with the same retention time as that of synthetic beta-EP.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1992

Enzyme immunoassay of angiotensin II in human plasma.

We established a highly sensitive double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for angiotensin (ANG) II. For competitive reactions, the ANG II-antibody was incubated with ANG II standard (or sample) and beta-D-galactosidase-labeled ANG III (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound labeled antigen were separated using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) coated immunoplate. The enzyme activity on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The present immunoassay allows detection of 0.4 to 72 fmol/well of ANG II. Using the present EIA, ANG II-like immunoreactivity (-LI) in human plasma was determined. The level of ANG II-LI in human plasma from 10 healthy volunteers was 33.3 +/- 10.4 pmol/l.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The effect of spiny lobster shell powder on bone metabolism in ovariectomized osteoporotic model rats.

Calcium has been found to be indispensable in the prevention of osteoporosis. Recently, there has been a great deal of research into the best way to consume calcium. In this study, the effect of "powdered lobster shell" on bone metabolism was examined in ovariectomized osteoporotic model rats. This powder has a good flavor and taste, and contains high quantities of calcium. Six-week-old SD-strain female rats were ovariectomized and were fed a low Ca diet (0.01% Ca and 0.3% P) for 32 days. Thereafter, the rats were divided into two groups; the control group was fed a control diet (0.3% Ca and 0.3% P) and an experimental group, the lobster group, was fed a lobster shell powder diet (0.3% Ca and 0.3% P) ad libitum for 30 days. The results were as follows: in comparison with the control group, the lobster group had significant increases in (1) bone mineral density [BMD (DEXA Hologic's QDR-1000] of lumbar spines and tibial proximal metaphyses, which are mainly trabecular bones, and BMD of tibial diaphyses, which is a mainly cortical bone, (2) the breaking force and energy of femur. These results suggests the lobster shell powder could be a valuable source of dietary calcium in increasing BMD, breaking force and energy in osteoporotic model rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Seasonal fluctuations of substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations in nasal secretions of patients with nasal allergy to Japanese cedar pollen].

Substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentrations in nasal secretions and plasma from patients with nasal allergy to Japanese cedar pollen and healthy volunteers were measured from Jan to Dec, 1991 using EIA established by us. Simultaneously, the numbers of airborne pollens of Japanese cedar and cypress were counted, and the relation to the SP and VIP concentrations in nasal secretions from the patients with nasal allergy to Japanese cedar pollen was studied. The mean SP concentration in nasal secretions from the patients with nasal allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in the pollination season was 81.9 +/- 48.4 fmol/mg protein, which was significantly higher than that in the non-pollination season (30.4 +/- 14.7 fmol/mg protein) (p < 0.01). Likewise, the mean VIP concentration in nasal secretions from the patients with nasal allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in the pollination season was 14.2 +/- 10.4 fmol/ml protein, which was significantly higher than that in the non-pollination season (4.2 +/- 3.0 fmol/mg protein) (p < 0.01). The SP and VIP concentrations in nasal secretions from the healthy volunteers were not affected by the scattering of pollens. The SP and VIP concentrations in plasma from the patients and the healthy volunteers were not affected by the scattering of pollens.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Pilot phase II trial of high-dose etoposide combined with cisplatin in the treatment of refractory lung cancer].

The efficacy of combined high-dose etoposide with standard dose cisplatin was evaluated in patients who had refractory lung cancer after standard chemotherapy. Each patient was given etoposide at 500 mg/m2/day on day 1 to 3 continuously (total dose 1,500 mg/m2) and cisplatin at 80 mg/m2 on day 1. Fifteen patients (7 adenocarcinoma, 5 small cell lung cancer, 2 squamous cell lung cancer and 1 sarcoma, which latter was difficult to distinguish from giant cell carcinoma) were entered in this study. The overall response was 41.7% (5 of 12); five partial response, 6 no change, and 1 progressive disease. Three treatment-related deaths were observed; one resulted from sepsis and two from respiratory failure because of tumor progression. All of the patients developed severe myelosuppression; the mean nadir white blood cell count was 400, and the mean nadir platelet count was 24,000 in 28 evaluable courses. The range of maximum concentration of etoposide determined by HPLC was from 17.4 to 39.1 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that high-dose etoposide combined with a standard dose of cisplatin is effective against refractory lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[A clinical study of the long-term therapeutic effects of low-dose erythromycin in diffuse panbronchiolitis--with special reference to changes in tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens in serum].

We investigated the long-term (3-30 months) therapeutic effects of low-dose (300-600 mg/day) erythromycin in 26 patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB). Significant improvements of pulmonary functions especially in %VC and PaO2 as well as respiratory symptoms were shown. However, erythromycin treatment was not associated with a significant change in surface phenotypes on peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8). It is well known that serum levels of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens such as SLX (sialylated Lewis X-i) and CA19-9 (sialylated Lewis(a)) are significantly elevated in patients with DPB. In the present study, 68.4% (13/19) of DPB patients showed marked elevation of SLX and 52.9% (9/17) showed marked elevation of CA19-9 levels in serum. These positive ratios were significantly decreased by erythromycin treatment to 31.6% (6/19) in SLX and 23.4% (4/17) in CA19-9. The mean values of each marker were also significantly decreased after erythromycin administration from 54.9 +/- 26.9 U/ml to 39.5 +/- 22.1 U/ml for SLX and from 70.5 +/- 77.4 U/ml to 28.8 +/- 37.4 U/ml for CA19-9.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Epidemiology of HTLV-I carriers in Hirado Island and virological and immunological investigation of HTLV-I associated pulmonary disease].

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is endemic in Kyushu. Our study at Hirado island in Nagasaki prefecture revealed a higher incidence (35.9%) of HTLV-I carriers in villages with fishing than in those without (16.5%). HTLV-I carriers showed a higher incidence of abnormal findings on chest roentgenogram (21.7%) than non-carriers (16.5%), but most were lesions of old pulmonary tuberculosis and pleural thickening. Virological and immunological investigations were performed for 10 HTLV-I carriers, 3 patients with HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM), and 3 patients with ATL to determine the presence of HTLV-I associated pulmonary disease. In HAM patients, there were high titers of anti HTLV-I antibody, positive IgA reaction to HTLV-I, and an increase in interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2)-positive T-cells in the peripheral blood; and lymphocytosis and an increase in IL-2-positive T-cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Virological examination showed the presence of pX gene and tax1/rex1 mRNA in the peripheral blood and BALF. Similar immunological and virological findings in 2 of 10 carriers suggested the presence of HTLV-I associated pulmonary disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Gastrin releasing peptide-like immunoreactive substance in rat mammary glands during pregnancy.

The concentration of gastrin releasing peptide-like immunoreactive substance (GRP-IS) was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in rat mammary glands during pregnancy and after delivery. The GRP-IS concentration was high in the middle stage of pregnancy (10-14 days of gestation) and decreased in late pregnancy to reach a plateau range. By using HPLC, it was shown that GRP(20-29) and GRP(16-29) were mainly present in rat mammary glands. Immunohistochemical study revealed that epithelial cells of rat mammary glands were stained intensely with antiserum GP-6201. These results suggest that GRP-IS is produced and secreted in epithelial cells of mammary glands and takes part in the proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy of mammary glands.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Effect of erythromycin on neutrophil function in chronic respiratory tract diseases with Pseudomonas infection].

The "low dose and long term" erythromycin (EM) therapy has been reported as effective (or useful) in chronic respiratory tract disease with pseudomonas (P.) infection including diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), however the mode of action is still obscure. Therefore in this study we have examined the effect of EM on the interaction between P. aeruginosa and human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in vitro. The efficiency of intracellular killing and the ability of superoxide production were employed to evaluate the PMN functions. For the first step, the following results were obtained; 1) Pretreatment of PMN with 20 micrograms/ml EM did not affect the killing ability of PMNs against opsonized P. aeruginosa of standard and clinical isolate from DPB patient. 2) Superoxide production from PMNs was observed by phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa in the presence of serum. This was not affected by exposure of PMNs to 20 micrograms/ml EM even with increased ratios of bacteria to cells. 3) Pretreatment of P. aeruginosa with 20 micrograms/ml EM before opsonization enhanced the killing ability of PMNs in both standard and clinical isolate. 4) Pretreatment of P. aeruginosa with 20 micrograms/ml EM resulted in no effect on superoxide production from PMNs by phagocytosis of the bacteria. These results indicate that EM may modify a certain step of the interaction between bacteria and intracellular host defence mechanisms. Therefore for the second step, we have investigated the susceptibility of EM-exposed bacteria to killing by the cell free (glucose oxidase-glucose) system, which will detect the enzymatic generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The following results were observed; 1) EM-exposed bacteria was more susceptible to killing than control bacteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bronchiolitis↗
PubMed1991

[A kinetic study on serum prolactin concentration in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone test].

In order to estimate the mechanism of prolactin secretion using the kinetic model, serum prolactin concentrations in normal young men were measured by an immunoradiometric assay before and after intravenous administration of 500 micrograms of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). The kinetic model was applied to evaluate the secretion rate both before and after the administration of TRH. A good correlation between the calculated values and measured values of serum concentration was observed (r = 0.995); and the adequacy of the model was confirmed. A few minutes (1.97 +/- 0.57 min) after the administration of TRH, the secretion of prolactin was stimulated, and serum prolactin concentration was maximum at 12.7 +/- 2.1 min. The total amounts of secreted prolactin was 75.4 +/- 18.4 ng/ml, which corresponded to the amount that was secreted in 4.3 hours at the normal rate. The half-life of prolactin was 40.8 +/- 13.8 min, which is in good agreement with the previously reported values. We have already reported on the kinetic study on the TSH secretion after TRH. Comparing the concentration change of prolactin and TSH, which were reported previously, it was found that the stimulated secretion started almost simultaneously, but lasted longer with respect to TSH.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Studies on defence effects of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to infections. III. Protective effect on pulmonary and systemic infections of P. aeruginosa in neutropenic mice].

In the prior two reports, we demonstrated that G-CSF induced the polarization of neutrophils by itself, and also enhanced superoxide production from neutrophils stimulated by the chemotactic peptides. In this study, we have examined the protective effect of G-CSF in vivo on Pseudomonas pneumonia and septicemia in mice. Cyclophosphamide (CY) induced severe reduction of the number of peripheral leukocytes and weakened resistance for Psuedomonas aeruguinosa infection of mice. However, in mice receiving recombinant human G-CSF four daily subcutaneous injection, the number of leukocytes, particulary neutrophils, increased more rapidly than in controls receiving saline. Moreover G-CSF enhanced a protective effect to pulmonary and systemic pseudomonas infections. When G-CSF was administered together with antibiotics, significant synergism in the protection against pulmonary infection of Pseudomonas was observed. Carrageenan treatment decreased the protective effect of G-CSF. These results suggested that the protective effect of G-CSF against P. aeruginosa infection depends not only on PMN but also another complexed host defence mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Solid scintillator "Ready Cap" for measurement with a liquid scintillation counter--spectra and counting efficiencies for 15 different radionuclides].

"Ready Cap", a small plastic container coated with solid scintillator has recently been introduced (Beckman Instruments, Inc.). Pulse height spectra and counting efficiencies obtained with a liquid scintillator and Ready Cap using a liquid scintillator counter were compared for 15 different radionuclides. For radionuclides emitting low-energy beta-rays or characteristic X-rays, the spectra for Ready Cap shifted toward the higher energy side compared with the spectra for the liquid scintillator. This tendency was reversed for the nuclides emitting higher-energy beta-radiations (36Cl and 32P). Generally, counting efficiencies both in Ready Cap and in liquid scintillator increased with increase in the energy of beta- or X-rays. For some nuclides, Ready Cap gave higher counting efficiencies and for others it gave lower values than in the liquid scintillator. However, the differences were not large within each nuclide. The use of Ready Cap is recommended for measurements of radionuclides when liquid scintillation cocktails have no means of waste disposal under the present Japanese radioisotope regulation.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗