Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Yukawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Yukawa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Structure of the gene encoding human alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG).

Alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) is a human plasma glycoprotein and fetuin is the homologue in the calf. In this report, we present the structure and organization of the AHSG gene. Introns and the 5' and 3'-flanking regions were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the inverted PCR, respectively, from genomic DNA using AHSG cDNA-specific oligonucleotide primers. The sequence of the PCR products shows that the coding region spans approximately 8.2 kb and is composed of seven exons interrupted by six introns. The exon-intron splice junctions agree with the consensus sequence, and the positions interrupted by introns are precisely identical to those of the rat insulin receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (fetuin) gene. The 5'-promoter region contains several characteristic sequences such as an A + T-rich sequence of TAAATAA, C/EBP-binding site, and hepatocyte nuclear factor-5 (HNF-5) and serum response factor (SRF) sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The possible role of remnant-like particles as a risk factor for sudden cardiac death.

Postmortem plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were analyzed in two groups of Japanese subjects who died suddenly and unexpectedly due to cardiac (n = 93) or non-cardiac (n = 26) causes. No individuals in either group had a significant medical or cardiac history. In this study, we measured plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and especially triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants. Triglyceride and apo E-rich remnant-like particles (RLP) were studied as a possible risk factor for sudden cardiac death in relation to the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. The receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that RLP-TG was the most significant risk factor for sudden cardiac death among the lipids and lipoproteins and RLP-C was the best predictor for coronary atherosclerosis. HDL-C and LDL-C levels were within normal limits in the majority of the cases and did not appear to relate to the sudden cardiac death. Apo E phenotyping was performed for the detection of the genetic background in the lipid metabolism. The frequency of the Apo E3/3 (wild type) phenotype, which closely relates with the remnant metabolism, was significantly reduced in the sudden cardiac death group. Our study on the postmortem plasma lipid analysis suggested that RLP-C and RLP-TG are the best risk predictor for coronary atherosclerosis and sudden cardiac death, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Bispecific rabbit Fab'-bovine serum albumin conjugate used in hemagglutination immunoassay for beta-microseminoprotein.

A polyclonal bispecific (bifunctional) antibody was prepared to develop a hemagglutination immunoassay for beta-microseminoprotein (beta-MSP), a predominant seminal protein. Three types of F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit IgG, affinity-purified anti-human red blood cell (RBC) F(ab')2 nonaffinity-purified anti-beta-MSP F(ab')2 and nonspecific (nonimmunized) F(ab')2, were mixed to obtain a F(ab')2 mixture containing 10% anti-RBC molecules and 10% anti-beta-MSP molecules. Fab' was obtained from the F(ab')2 mixture, and then reacted with maleimide-activated bovine serum albumin (BSA) at a molar ratio of 10:1. As estimated by the decrease in the maleimide content, approximately 7 Fab' molecules were introduced per one BSA molecule. The bispecific (anti-beta-MSP and anti-RBC) Fab'-BSA conjugate thus prepared was incubated successively with a human RBC suspension and with samples. In the presence of beta-MSP, RBCs become agglutinated, providing a test simple for forensic semen identification.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1997

Experimental studies of methemoglobinemia due to percutaneous absorption of sodium nitrite.

OBJECTIVE: Methemoglobin formation caused by a liniment solution containing sodium nitrite (30 g/L and 140 g/L) was studied in rats with normal or abraded skin, by measuring the methemoglobin concentration before and after application of liniment solutions with differing nitrite concentration. METHODS: Each liniment solution (120 microL) was applied. Methemoglobin was measured for 180 minutes using a hemoximeter. Simultaneously, arterial blood pressure and cutaneous blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry and a pressure transducer. RESULTS: After the application of each liniment solution to normal skin, the methemoglobin concentration was not significantly modified depending on the time after application. Application of liniment solution to abraded skin (140 g/L) resulted in a marked increase in methemoglobin concentration. A remarkable decrease in arterial blood pressure and subcutaneous blood flow were observed after application of liniment solution to abraded skin (140 g/L). CONCLUSIONS: Each of these findings are characteristic of nitrite and they imply the percutaneous absorption of nitrite. Regardless of the nitrite concentration, the methemoglobin concentration was consistently higher in abraded skin than in normal skin.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1997

Experimental studies on effects of barbiturate on electroencephalogram and auditory brain-stem responses.

The effects of pentobarbital on electroencephalogram (EEG) and auditory brain-stem response (ABR) were evaluated in 13 Japanese white male rabbits, divided into two groups, 7 and 6, respectively. After baseline evoked responses were obtained, pentobarbital was infused intravenously at 60 mg/kg/h in both groups. EEGs and ABR were recorded with 15 min intervals. When the blood concentration of pentobarbital reached therapeutic levels (2.0-5.0 mg/dL), cortical and hippocampal EEGs became isoelectric. Although the appearance of ABR waves was significantly delayed, each wave was clearly observed in spite of isoelectric EEG levels. The rabbits in one group were killed at that time, and their brains were removed to determine the concentration of pentobarbital in the brain tissue. In another group, pentobarbital was additionally infused at the rate of 120 mg/kg/h. Although the waves (II-IV) of the ABR gradually disappeared with increasing dosage, wave I was present until just prior to cardiac arrest. It is considered that the persistency of ABR at high doses of barbiturates is characteristic of patients in deep barbiturate coma. Therefore, at the diagnosis of brain death, there is no necessity to consider the half-life of the barbiturate, even if an excessive amount of barbiturate remains in the brain. In this study, pentobarbital concentration in the brain was nearly equal to the concentration in the blood. However, it is estimated that a large amount of barbiturate is accumulated in the brain of a patient after brain death because the blood flow in the brain is stagnant.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Fatal methamphetamine poisoning in police custody.

A fatal case of methamphetamine poisoning whilst in police custody is described. Drug identification and quantification in postmortem blood, urine, brain and gastric contents was achieved using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The blood concentration of methamphetamine was 4.92 micromol/100 g, which is in the lethal range. It is necessary for police officers to have a good knowledge of the toxic effects of abused drugs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Fatal methemoglobinemia caused by liniment solutions containing sodium nitrite.

We describe a case of fatal methemoglobinemia (MetHb-emia) resulting from application of liniment solution containing large quantities of sodium nitrite. As a remedial treatment of atopic dermatitis, the liniment solution was applied all over the boy's body. Autopsy findings showed no significant macroscopic or microscopic findings except blood tinted chocolate brown color and chronic atopic dermatitis over the whole surface of the body. Quantitation of the methemoglobin (MetHb) in the blood was performed using spectrophotometer; MetHb concentration of the blood was 76%. Ion chromatographic determination revealed a nitrite concentration of 1 mg/L in the serum. Such a liniment solution is not authorized by the Ministry of Public Welfare.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Sandwich capture enzyme immunoassay for water soluble blood group B substance in secretor saliva.

Sandwich capture enzyme immunoassays (EIA I and EIA II) are described. Water soluble B substance was reacted simultaneously with affinity-purified dinitrophenyl goat anti-B IgG and affinity-purified goat anti-B IgG-peroxidase conjugate. The complex formed of B substance, dinitrophenyl IgG and IgG-peroxidase conjugate was trapped onto a polystyrene ball coated with affinity-purified goat anti-dinitrophenyl bovine serum albumin IgG. After washing, peroxidase activity bound to the ball was assayed by fluorometry (the sandwich capture EIA I). In the sandwich capture EIA II, the complex was, after thorough washing, eluted from the ball with dinitrophenyl-L-lysine, and then peroxidase activity in the eluate was assayed. The thorough washing and elution processes improved the sensitivity 3.3-fold, and B substance in saliva samples from type B and AB secretors could be detected 200- to 500-fold more sensitively than hemagglutination inhibition, a method commonly used in forensic practices.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1995

Detection of sucrase-isomaltase in stains on a knife by sandwich enzyme immunoassay to determine penetration of the small intestine in a pig model.

Using 2 kitchen knives, 2 stab wounds were made into the abdomen of a pig that had been sacrificed under sanctioned processing methods of a meat packing plant. One knife wound penetrated the jejunum and the other, the liver. After leaving the knives at room temperature for a week, the stains on the blades were extracted and subjected to a sandwich enzyme immunoassay to detect the presence of sucrase-isomaltase (sucrase-alpha-dextrinase or SI), a major digestive enzyme of the small intestine. Results of this assay revealed that sufficient SI could be detected only on the knife that had penetrated the jejunum. This animal experiment thus suggests the potential usefulness of an SI assay to identify a weapon that has penetrated the small intestine. Further investigation will be pursued to determine whether this detection method is also valid in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Influence of antemortem medication on the determination of brain death.

Post-mortem concentration of pentobarbital in the blood and brain of two deceased neurosurgical patients was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Patients treated with barbiturate for elevated intracranial pressure after head injury may incur brain death. In the present two cases of brain death a large amount of barbiturate remained in the brain, even when the blood concentration was not detectable, possibly because the blood flow was stagnant in the brain. It is suggested that a patient under barbiturate coma should be given serious consideration as to the determination of brain death, even if barbiturate is negative in the blood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Suppression of natural killer cell activity by serum derived from head and neck cancer patients.

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in many immune functions, including the lysis of tumor cells. In this study, we analyzed the influence of serum from 40 patients with head and neck cancer on NK cell activity using a double-layer agar assay. NK cell activity can be express as the inhibitory effect of NK cells on colony growth of K562 cells in the double-layer agar assay. When serum from cancer patients was added in this assay, we observed the reduction of the inhibitory activity of NK cells, not only of autologous NK cells but also of allogeneic NK cells in 24 out of 40 patients. In addition, we compared the TNM staging and survival rate between the reduction group and no-reduction group of NK cell activity. These results suggest that the serum of some patients with head and neck cancer may be an inhibitory factor on NK cell activity and may be involved in host resistance to tumor growth.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Sudden death of a cocaine abuser.

We report an autopsy case of a 28-year-old male who died after intravenous use of cocaine. Cocaine and ecgonine methyl ester, the major metabolite of cocaine, were detected in the blood with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Postmortem examination showed contraction band necrosis together with patchy fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the heart. The sudden death appeared to be caused by a cardiac disorder associated with arrhythmia or coronary vasoconstriction.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA encoding rabbit vitamin D-binding protein (Gc globulin).

The cDNA sequence of rabbit vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) was determined by sequencing clones isolated by immuno-screening and PCR amplification from a rabbit liver cDNA library. The 1641-nucleotide sequence included the 5' untranslated region and extended to the poly(A) tail. It encoded a protein of 460 amino acid residues in addition to a signal sequence of 16 residues, and had 84%, 79% and 78% sequence identities with human, rat and mouse DBP cDNA, respectively. In comparison with DBP amino acid sequences of other species, there are at least four heterogeneous regions. In contrast, a putative actin binding domain was conserved in the evolution process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Active opening function of the human eustachian tube: comparison between sonotubometry and pressure equilibration test.

Sonotubometry and pressure equilibration test are representative test methods to evaluate the active opening capacity of the Eustachian tube. We applied these tests to 72 ears with otitis media with effusion and 21 ears with chronic otitis media. In 73 ears, both tests showed identical results (11 ears with good active function and 62 ears with poor function). Twenty ears showed good active opening by sonotubometry despite inability to relieve applied negative pressure by swallowing. This inconsistency is believed to result from a too short duration of the tubal opening, by which sound is transmitted through the Eustachian tube, without pressure change in the middle ear cavity. We propose that sonotubometry is a suitable method of detecting impairment of the tubal active opening function, but that a good result by sonotubometry does not always indicate a satisfactory pressure equilibration capacity of the Eustachian tube.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid determination from formalin-fixed tissue.

Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), the main metabolic product of glycyrrhizin (GLY), could be detected in formalin-fixed tissue from a man who died 6 hours after therapeutic administration of a GLY-containing agent. GA was extracted from homogenized formalin-fixed liver tissue and 3 ng GA/g could be detected by HPLC. The extraction from formalin-fixed liver tissue gave the same retention time peak as the GLY control. GA could also be detected by mass spectrometry in the blood sample. This confirms that the man had received a GLY-containing agent for therapeutic use prior to his death and that GA can be determined from formalin-fixed tissue.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1992

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for gamma-seminoprotein and its application to sex discrimination of blood and bloodstains.

A sensitive sandwich enzyme immunoassay for gamma-seminoprotein (p30, prostate-specific antigen) is described for sex discrimination of blood and bloodstains. A polystyrene ball coated with rabbit anti-gamma-seminoprotein IgG was incubated with gamma-seminoprotein and, after washing, with affinity-purified rabbit anti-gamma-seminoprotein Fab'-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. Peroxidase activity bound to the polystyrene ball was assayed by fluorometry using 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid as hydrogen donor. The detection limit of gamma-seminoprotein was 0.15 pg per assay. Blood levels of gamma-seminoprotein, measured using 1-10 microliters of blood, were at least 3.3-fold higher in male adults than in female adults. The ratio of gamma-seminoprotein in terms of pg to hemoglobin in terms of mg was significantly higher in male adults than in female adults. Thus, the measurement of gamma-seminoprotein or both gamma-seminoprotein and hemoglobin was useful for the discrimination of blood and bloodstains of male and female adults, although with some limitations.

Adolescent↗