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Biomedical subjects

N Morikawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Morikawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Two cases of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, showing multiple infiltrative shadows, diagnosed by open lung biopsy, and a report of their BAL findings].

Two cases of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) were diagnosed by clinical features and pathological findings of open lung biopsy specimens. Findings of repeated (bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis were also reported. Case 1 was a 54 year-old woman complaining of dry cough and low grade fever. Multiple infiltrative shadows in both lung fields were pointed out on her chest roentgenogram. Case 2 was a 68 year-old woman with symptoms of cough, sputum and low grade fever. Her chest X-ray films also showed multiple infiltrative shadows bilaterally. Although various antibiotics were given to both patients, new shadows appeared on their chest films without any improvement of clinical symptoms or inflammatory findings. TBLB specimens obtained from the two cases showed the findings of organizing pneumonia. In each case, open lung biopsy was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was consistent with BOOP. However, exclusion of the possibility of eosinophilic pneumonia and lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung was somewhat difficult in case 1. BALF analysis showed an increased number of lymphocytes in both cases, 75% and 37% respectively. The inverted ratio of OKT4/OKT8 (0.71) in BALF of case 1 was similar to that of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In spite of clinical and roentgenological improvement after steroid therapy, the abnormal BAL findings still remained. Therefore it is suggested that BAL may be a useful tool for monitoring the steroid treatment of patients with BOOP.

Aged↗

Detection and properties of A-factor-binding protein from Streptomyces griseus.

The optically active form of tritium-labeled A-factor (2-isocapryloyl-3R-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactone), a pleiotropic autoregulator responsible for streptomycin production, streptomycin resistance, and sporulation in Streptomyces griseus, was chemically synthesized. By using the radioactive A-factor, a binding protein for A-factor was detected in the cytoplasmic fraction of this organism. The binding protein had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 26,000, as determined by gel filtration. Scatchard analysis suggested that A-factor bound the protein in the molar ratio of 1:1 with a binding constant, Kd, of 0.7 nM. The number of the binding protein was roughly estimated to be 37 per genome. The "inducing material" virginiae butanolide C (VB-C), which has a structure very similar to that of A-factor and is essential for virginiamycin production in Streptomyces virginiae, did not inhibit binding. In addition, no protein capable of specifically binding 3H-labeled VB-C was found in S. griseus. Together with the observation that VB-C had almost no biological activity on the restoration of streptomycin production or sporulation in an A-factor-deficient mutant of S. griseus, these results indicated that the binding protein had a strict ligand specificity. Examination for an A-factor-binding protein in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) and Streptomyces lividans showed the absence of any specifically binding protein.

4-Butyrolactone↗

[Development of a simple analytical method to determine the serum concentration of denopamine by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and its clinical application].

Denopamine (DP) is a new, orally active, selectively positive inotropic agent and used for the treatment of chronic cardiac insufficiency. The therapeutic effects of DP is highly related to its serum concentrations. A simple analytical method has been developed to determine the serum concentration of DP by use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD). In order to extract the DP from the serum, a disposable solid extraction column (Sep-Pak cartridge, C-18) was used. The average recovery was 84.6 +/- 2.7%. The working electrode potential was fixed at 400 mV with a T1 cell, 600 mV with a T2 cell and 650 mV with a Guard cell in ECD. The analysis was performed on a Nova-Pak cartridge C-18 reverse-phase column (100 mm X 8 mm i.d., 4 microns). The mobile phase consisted of 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) and acetonitrile (83: 17, v/v), and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. DP and internal standard phenolphthalein (PP) were eluted at 16.5 and 36.0 min, respectively. The peak-height ratio of DP to PP was linearly correlated (r = 0.9998) over a concentrations range between 1.25 and 15.0 ng/ml in the serum. The lowest detectable concentration was 1.0 ng/ml in the serum. The coefficient of variation of reproducibility in the assay was 6.0% By using the present method, serum concentration of DP was measured for four healthy volunteers after a single oral administration of 10 mg DP tablet after a overnight fast. From these DP concentration profiles, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Carbohydrate antigens in pleural effusion from patients with lung cancer].

Sialosylated Lewisa (S-Lea) is an active antigen determinant of CA19-9 which is well known as a tumor maker. Sialosylated Lewisx (S-Lex) is a positional isomer of S-Lea. The positive percent of S-Lex and CA19-9 in pleural effusion from the patients with primary lung cancer was 49.1% and 40.0%, respectively. However, most S-Lea positive effusions showed a positive level of S-Lex. Therefore, S-Lex is considered to be more useful as a tumor marker than CA19-9. The studies on gel chromatography of the effusion obtained from a patients showed high levels of both antigens using sephacryl S-1000 revealed that the molecular weights of S-Lex and CA19-9 were more than 2 X 10(6) and the elution profile of S-Lex coincided with that of CA19-9 fractionated effusions using the monoclonal antibodies to the antigens showed the same pattern of elution profiles of these carbohydrates. From these results, we concluded that the carriers of S-Lex and CA19-9 in pleural effusion from lung cancer might be the same molecules with a high molecular weight more than 2 X 10(6).

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Comparison of carbohydrate antigens--sialylated Lewisx and sialylated SSEA-1 in the sera from patients with primary lung cancer].

Serum levels of sialylated Lewisx (SLEX) and sialylated SSEA-1 (S-Xi) in 136 cases of diagnosed lung cancer (63 adenocarcinoma, 45 squamous cell carcinoma, 20 small cell carcinoma and 8 large cell carcinoma) and 111 cases of benign pulmonary disease were measured. The positive rate of these markers in the primary lung cancer group was significantly higher than those in benign pulmonary diseases. The positive rates of serum SLEX and S-Xi in all lung cancer cases were 27.2% and 27.9%, respectively. The antigen levels in the sera were higher in adenocarcinoma as compared to other histologic types, and increased as the stage advanced. It was concluded that SLEX and S-Xi are very useful markers of lung cancer for diagnosis and monitoring the clinical status.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Simultaneous assay for individual sulphated 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroids in serum using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases immobilized on one column.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of individual sulphated 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroids in serum using 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3 alpha-HSD and beta-HSD, respectively) immobilized on one column and a fluorimeter to detect the resulting NAD+ to NADH transformation is described. Individual sulphated 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroids in serum are extracted with ethanol, solvolysed with sulphuric acid in ethyl acetate and then separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The hydroxysteroids thus separated are subsequently mixed with NAD+ and then passed through the column in which the following catalytic reaction occurs: (formula, see text) The detection limits are as low as 0.5-1.0 microgram/dl for sulphated 3 alpha- or beta-hydroxysteroids in serum. The present assay method is highly specific, reliable and reproducible and is thus applicable to a clinical study on the metabolism of sulphated 3 alpha- and beta-hydroxysteroids in patients with adrenal or gonadal diseases.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Distribution of tritiated tetrodotoxin administered intraperitoneally to pufferfish.

Tetrodotoxin was recoil-tritiated by the 3He(n,p)3H reaction and purified by gel filtration. The [3H]tetrodotoxin gave only one spot in both cellulose acetate strip electrophoresis and thin layer chromatography. The specific toxicity of tetrodotoxin did not decrease during the recoil tritiation and the [3H]tetrodotoxin showed a specific radioactivity of 25 x 10(-6) Ci/mmole. In spite of the low specific radioactivity, the [3H]tetrodotoxin was able to be used to investigate the anatomical distribution of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish. When intraperitoneally injected into 'torafugu' puffer, [3H]tetrodotoxin accumulated in most tissues, the level being highest in the skin, followed by the liver, intestines and muscle. With time, the [3H]tetrodotoxin radioactivity level in the injected pufferfish decreased in most tissues, except for skin and gallbladder. Based on these results, the metabolism of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish is discussed.

Animals↗

An Escherichia coli mutant exhibiting temperature-sensitive ATP synthesis.

A mutant strain SM434 (ttr-3) of Escherichia coli that exhibits a temperature-sensitive Unc(succinate-nonutilizing) phenotype was characterized. The mutant allele ttr-3 was not linked to the ilvA gene, but was complemented by Fill carrying 81 min-91 min of the E. coli chromosome. The mutant strain SM434 exhibited resistance to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and a temperature-sensitive phenotype at the level of ATP synthesis, compatible with that of cell growth. These findings indicate that the mutant strain SM434 could carry a mutation (ttr-3) in an unknown gene responsible for the energy-transduction system.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by divalent cationic cyanine dye. Participation of phosphate transporter.

The trinuclear cationic cyanine dye tri-S-C4(5) was found to be an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. Its uncoupling required inorganic phosphate (Pi) or arsenate, which is transported into mitochondria via the Pi transport system, and was abolished by the Pi-transport inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide or mersalyl. The dye stimulated Pi uptake into mitochondria, and its uncoupling action was accompanied by swelling of the mitochondria. The adenine nucleotides ADP and ATP protected mitochondria from uncoupling by the dye. The dye taken up by mitochondria was released into the incubation medium on induction of uncoupling. In the absence of Pi, the dye did not cause uncoupling, but its uptake was much greater than in the presence of Pi. The cyanine dye is suggested to induce uncoupling by acting on the membrane, rather than after its electrophoretic transfer into the mitochondria.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Dietary induction of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase synthesis.

The effect of dietary carbohydrate on rat liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase synthesis has been determined by using a method which can accurately quantitate relative rates of synthesis as low as 0.001 percent of total protein synthesis. Hepatocytes were incubated with (3H) leucine for 60 min and G6PD was separated from all other proteins by immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis on two-dimensional O'Farrell gels. The relative rate of synthesis of G6PD increased 70-fold (from 0.0015 to 0.11% of total protein synthesis) in hepatocytes from fasted rats refed a high carbohydrate diet. We have concluded that the 20-30 fold dietary induction of G6PD is due to a 70 and 3 fold increase in synthesis and degradation, respectively.

Animals↗

Reactions of recoil tritium atoms with toluene and benzonitrile.

Recoil tritium reactions in the aromatic ring were investigated with toluene and benzonitrile in the moderator-free and the C6F6-moderated systems in terms of the intramolecular tritium distribution, the relative tritiation rate, and the isotope effect in toluene. The reactions free from hexafluorobenzene are in essential agreement with non-selective nature shown in hot atom reactions. The addition of the moderator to the systems changes more markedly the uniform labeling to o,p-orientation in toluene than in benzonitrile, and the 1.17 PhCH3/PhCN tritiation rate (in PhCH3-d8/PhCN, 0.942) to the 1.89 PhCH3/PhCN one (in PhCH3-d8/PhCN, 1.51) when the mole ratio of C6F6/substrate is about 100. These findings agree with the electrophilic nature of the tritium at lower energies. The H/D isotope effect in the moderated system is given as 1.89/1.51 or 1.25 and is substantially the same as that (1.24) in the moderator-free system.

Fluorocarbons↗

Moderator effects on recoil tritium reactions with lithium beta-phenylpropionate.

The recoil tritium reactions were studied with lithium beta-phenylpropionate having both the aromatic and aliphatic C-H bonds in the molecule, mainly in terms of the moderator effect on the intramolecular tritium distribution. Recoil tritium atoms were produced by the 6Li(n,alpha)3H reaction. Water molecules were used as the moderator. The tritium activity of the ethylene group represented relative to that of the corresponding ring assumed as a standard (= 100) is 30 in the moderator-free system and is reduced to 13 in the moderated system in which the H2O/beta-PhC2H4CO2Li mole ratio is 328. In the ring, the tritium distribution shows a slight ortho- and para-orientation in the moderator-free system and the selectivity is pronounced when the H2O/beta-PhC2H4CO2Li mole ratio is large. The data show that the aromatic ring tritiation in the moderated system is given by increasing contribution of the reactions of tritium atoms having lower energy than the threshold energy of the ethylene group tritiation.

Lithium↗

The reactions of recoil tritium atoms with toluene in the C6F6-moderated systems.

The T-for-H substitution reaction was studied in the recoil tritium reactions with toluene in C6F6-moderated systems. The moderator-free control experiment showed an approximately uniform labeling in the aromatic ring, with a slightly enhanced reactivity in the ortho- and para-positions (o: 41%, m: 38%, p: 21%) and showed a preference for ring tritiation over methyl group tritiation (23 relative to the corresponding ring assumed as a standard (= 100)). The addition of hexafluorobenzene progressively changed the uniform distribution to a marked ortho- and para-orientation and decreased the relative tritium activity of the methyl group. If the C6F6/PhCH3 mole ratio is 204, the tritium distribution in the ring is o: 53%, m: 22%, p: 25% and the methyl group activity is reduced to 2. The data show the existence of the threshold energy of side chain tritiation and that the selective aromatic ring tritiation is given by increasing contribution of the reactions of tritium atoms having lower energy than the threshold energy.

Chemical Phenomena↗

The cyanine dye triS-C4(5) as a cationic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation: interaction with mitochondria detected by derivative spectrophotometry.

Derivative spectrophotometry was used to study the interaction of the cationic uncoupler triS-C4(5) with mitochondria. The uncoupling action of this dye is dependent on the presence of Pi in the incubation medium. The second derivative spectrum of the dye changed with the incubation period, becoming similar to the spectrum in chloroform; but, after a time, the spectral pattern reverted to the original spectrum. The change in the spectrum in the presence of Pi was much more rapid than in its absence. The degree of spectral change agreed with the relative amount of bound dye determined directly. Thus, the spectral change reflects the binding of dye to the mitochondria, dependent on their energy state. The greater binding without Pi does not cause uncoupling but does cause shrinkage. In contrast, the lesser binding in the presence of Pi causes uncoupling and the swelling of mitochondria. These facts indicate that the dye does not penetrate the mitochondrial membrane. This refutes the idea that uncoupling by lipophilic cations is caused by the electrophoretic transfer of the uncoupler to the mitochondrial matrix space.

Animals↗