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Biomedical subjects

R Kobayashi

Publications and source records attributed to R Kobayashi.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures long after lung resection].

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured long after lung resection with reference to operative procedure and vital capacity (VC). MIP and MEP were measured before surgery and 3 months after surgery in 80 patients who underwent lung resection. The procedures were pneumonectomy in 4 cases, lobectomy in 42 cases, segmentectomy in 3 cases, and wedge resection in 31 cases. Postoperative MIP, MEP, and VC were expressed and analyzed as percents of their respective preoperative values (MIP(%), MEP(%), VC(%)). Patients who underwent lobectomy had significantly lower MIP(%) and MEP(%) than did those who underwent wedge resection (p < 0.001). Both MIP(%) and MEP(%) correlated significantly with VC(%) (p < 0.001). Pulmonary resection can continue to affect both pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength even 3 months after surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase cascade.

Recently we obtained evidence for the existence of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK), which was partially purified in the process of the purification step of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase V (CaM kinase V). This enzyme promoted phosphorylation of the autophosphorylation site on CaM kinase V and activated the activity (Mochizuki, H. et al. (1993) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 197, 1595-1600). Present study revealed that CaMKK also phosphorylated CaM kinase IV associated with the activation of its activity. Phosphorylation of CaM kinase IV by CaMKK occurred on multiple sites. Furthermore, CaM kinase IV and CaM kinase V phosphorylated each other which resulted in their activation. The phosphorylation site of CaM kinase V by CaM kinase IV was the same as the autophosphorylation site. Our study suggests the existence of a heretofore CaM kinases cascade consisting of a sequential activation of each CaM kinase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1994

Isolation and characterization of a 36-kDa microfibril-associated glycoprotein by the newly synthesized isoquinolinesulfonamide affinity chromatography.

We have reported here the biochemical characterization of a newly identified microfibril-associated protein of 36-kDa (36-kDa MAP) from bovine aorta. Using Ca(2+)-dependent affinity chromatography on an isoquinolinesulfonamide derivative (CKA-1303)-coupled Sepharose, we obtained a pure form of 36-kDa MAP. This compound should serve as a useful tool for clarifying the physiological roles of 36-kDa MAP. In addition, 45Ca-autoradiography clearly indicated that 36-kDa MAP binds Ca2+. Partial amino acid sequence of 36-kDa MAP was determined. Our search of that published sequence against a 36-kDa MAP sequence revealed the resemblance to fibrinogen-related proteins of sea cucumber, cytotactin and tenascin which are substrate-adhesion proteins made at critical stages of histogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Purification, characterization, and partial sequence analysis of a new 25-kDa actin-binding protein from bovine aorta: a SM22 homolog.

We have purified a Ca(2+)-sensitive 25-kDa protein from bovine aorta. The 25-kDa protein remains associated with the membrane fraction in the presence of Ca2+ and is dissociated by EGTA. The purified protein binds directly to F-actin at a ratio of 1:6 actin monomers, with a binding constant of 7.0 x 10(5) M-1. The partial sequence analysis revealed a high homology to predicted protein derived from mRNA, named WS3-10 and chicken SM22 protein. Although chicken SM22 had not any interaction with contractile proteins or Ca2+, the bovine homolog clearly binds to F-actin and has Ca(2+)-binding domain in its primary structure.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Protein identifications for a Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein database.

The rapid progress in understanding the genes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be supplemented by two-dimensional (2-D) gel studies to understand global patterns of protein synthesis, protein modification, and protein degradation. The first step in building a protein database for yeast is to identify many of the spots on 2-D gels. We are using protein sequencing, overexpression of genes on high-copy number plasmids, and amino acid analysis to identify the proteins from 2-D gels of yeast. The amino acid analysis technique involves labeling yeast samples with different amino acids and using quantitative image analysis to determine the relative amino acid abundances. The observed amino acid abundances are then searched against the current database of 2600 known yeast protein sequences. At present about 90 proteins on our yeast maps have been identified, and the number is rising rapidly. With many known proteins on the map, it will soon be possible to use 2-D gel analysis to study regulatory pathways in normal and mutant yeast, with knowledge of many the protein products that respond to each genetic or environmental manipulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Protein 1 and Clara cell 10-kDa protein distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues with emphasis on the respiratory system.

Thirty-six different normal tissues and 13 different malignant epithelial tumours, were examined immunohistochemically for the presence of protein 1 (P1) and Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10). Adenocarcinomas of the lung were also examined for the expression of pulmonary surfactant apoprotein using a monoclonal antibody (PE-10). The staining results of P1 and CC10 were almost identical both in normal tissues and in malignant tumours. In normal lung, Clara cells were strongly positive for both P1 and CC10. In addition, some goblet cells and non-ciliated non-mucus cells in the upper airways were moderately positive for both proteins. In the malignant tumours, some lung cancers were positive for P1 and CC10, both of which were positive in the same tumour cells on sequential sections. In 117 lung cancers, P1 and CC10 were positive in 10.2% of adenocarcinomas, 20.5% of squamous cell carcinomas, and 12.5% of large cell carcinomas. PE-10 stained positively in 65.3% of adenocarcinomas, a frequency significantly higher than that of P1 and CC10 (P < 0.01). These results suggest that P1 and CC10 are nearly identical proteins, that both are useful markers of Clara cells, and that many pulmonary adenocarcinomas express surfactant apoprotein rather than Clara cell proteins.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Degradation of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide by rabbit gastric smooth muscle membranes.

Crude membrane fractions prepared from rabbit gastric fundic muscle degraded vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) with an average specific activity of 0.96 nmol/min/mg protein at 37 degrees C, pH 7.5, and at [S]o = 0.05 mM. The relative activities towards [Leu5]enkephalin, substance P, VIP, and neurotensin were approximately 7.7, 2.0, 1.0, and 0.54, respectively. The VIP degradation was inhibited by metal chelators EDTA and o-phenanthroline. CaCl2 at 0.3-1.0 mM enhanced VIP degradation up to twofold. Phosphoramidon, captopril, and bestatin, the specific inhibitors for endopeptidase-24.11, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and aminopeptidase M, respectively, did not affect VIP degradation significantly. However, the complex mixtures of VIP fragments generated implicates action of multiple peptidases including the aforementioned three peptidases and other unidentified peptidase(s).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Rapid detection of human seminal plasma proteins by membrane aspiration test (MAT).

A new dot-immunobinding method, called the membrane aspiration test (MAT), was developed for the detection of human seminal plasma (HSP) antigens. Biological materials, such as macerated vaginal swabs or extracts from seminal stains, were dotted on a nitrocellulose membrane in a disposable aspiration kit. After the drying and aspiration of a quenching solution, a suspension of gold particles (GP) coated with an immune serum to HSP was aspirated through the nitrocellulose membrane. The dotted portion on the membrane turned red after several repeated aspirations, if HSP antigen was present. Results can be obtained within a few minutes. This test has broad applicability because of its rapidity and simplicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Cervical thymic cancer infiltrating the trachea and thyroid.

The patient was a 59-year-old female with cervical thymic cancer infiltrating the trachea and right lobe of the thyroid, with associated metastasis to a cervical lymph node. The tumor was completely resected along with the infiltrated organs, in addition to dissection of the cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, total thymectomy and tracheoplasty. Histologically the tumor consisted of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Postoperative radiotherapy for the neck and upper mediastinum was performed at a total dose of 44 Gy. The patient is alive without recurrence 8 months after surgery.

Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid↗
PubMed1994

The "reversed" latissimus dorsi muscle flap with conditioning delay for closure of a lower thoracic tuberculous empyema.

The patient was a 57-year-old male with a tuberculous empyema of the right lower thorax which penetrated the chest wall. One week before operation, the thoracodorsal vessels, which are the dominant blood supply of the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle, were divided to encourage adaptation of the secondary blood supply of the flap. Then the "reversed" LD muscle flap, pedicled at the lower posterior side, was transposed into the empyema cavity. The postoperative course was satisfactory, and the patient is now in good health without recurrence 12 months after the operation. The "reversed" LD muscle flap with conditioning delay before surgery is useful for lower thoracic empyema.

Empyema, Tuberculous↗
PubMed1994

Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma arising from mature cystic teratoma of the mediastinum (teratoma with malignant transformation). Report of a surgical case.

A surgical case of teratoma with malignant transformation (TMT) of the mediastinum in a 66-year-old man is reported. The unilocular, cystic, mediastinal mass, which had been seen in a chest radiograph 7 years earlier, was extirpated. The mass was histologically revealed to be a mature cystic teratoma containing skin and respiratory epithelial tissues, with some areas of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Surgical cases of TMT in the mediastinum, which have not received any preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy, are rare. By reviewing the previous literature on TMT in various organs, the authors distinguished two types of TMT, chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced TMT and naturally occurring TMT. The pathogenesis of these two types are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Intracellular localization and DNA-binding activity of a class of viral early phosphoproteins in human fibroblasts infected with human cytomegalovirus (Towne strain).

Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) with monoclonal antibody M23 prepared against the nuclei of human embryo lung (HEL) cells infected with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Towne strain showed that the M23 antigen reactive with the M23 antibody was localized within distinct foci throughout the nucleus of infected HEL cells shortly after infection, even at 2 h post-infection (p.i.). The foci increased in size by 24 h p.i. and then the IF patterns changed to show the nuclear inclusion body-like structures at 72 h p.i. Treatment with phosphono-acetic acid, a HCMV DNA replication inhibitor, resulted in a nuclear pattern similar to that observed shortly after infection. The double-labelled IF test revealed that the HCMV UL44 antigen essential for viral DNA replication colocalized with the M23 antigen in the same intranuclear structure shortly after infection whereas neither viral antigen appeared to colocalize in most cells later after infection. The M23 antibody immunoprecipitated four proteins. 34K, 43K, 50K and 84K, in infected cells. To examine whether these proteins correspond to four early phosphoproteins encoded by the HCMV strain AD169 genome, the Towne strain DNA sequence corresponding to that encoding both the 34K and 43K proteins of strain AD169 was determined and transiently expressed in COS-7, Vero and HEL cells. These proteins were detected by the M23 antibody within the foci of these nuclei as found in the nuclei of productively infected cells shortly after infection. In addition, the 34K, 43K and 50K proteins at least were shown to be DNA-binding proteins by double- and single-stranded DNA-cellulose column chromatography. The relationship of these proteins to the status of viral DNA replication is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Chronic administration of angiotensin II receptor antagonist, TCV-116, in cardiomyopathic hamsters.

We examined whether specific blockade of the renin-angiotensin system is beneficial for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction in heart failure. The angiotensin II type-1 (AT1) receptor antagonist TCV-116 (10 mg.kg-1.day-1) or its vehicle was given orally to UM-X 7.1 cardiomyopathic (CM) and normal Golden Syrian (GS) hamsters for 8 wk. Plasma and cardiac angiotensin II levels were significantly higher in CM than in GS hamsters. The CM heart showed a smaller response of left ventricular (LV) pressure and first derivative of maximal LV pressure (+dP/dtmax) to the elevation of perfusion pressure (from 60 to 120 cmH2O) in Langendorff-perfused than in GS heart. Treatment with TCV-116 did not affect LV function in GS but significantly improved cardiac contractility in CM hamsters. These results suggest that the renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the development of cardiac dysfunction due to cardiomyopathy. Blockade of this system by the AT1 antagonist TCV-116 appears to be useful in the prevention of heart failure.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1994

Preoperative respiratory muscle training. Assessment in thoracic surgery patients with special reference to postoperative pulmonary complications.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of preoperative respiratory muscle training to increase muscle strength and its effects on postoperative pulmonary complications. DESIGN: We measured maximum inspiratory (MIP) and maximum expiratory (MEP) mouth pressure before and after training in 50 patients undergoing thoracic surgery. For control purposes, MIP and MEP were measured in 50 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects at two different times without training. RESULTS: Preoperative respiratory muscle training increased both MIP and MEP significantly (p < 0.01), while the control subjects showed no increase in these parameters. Eight patients who had postoperative pulmonary complications had significantly lower values (p < 0.01) and did not show significant increases in either MIP or MEP even after the training, unlike the other patients, who were without postoperative pulmonary complications. On the other hand, there were also another six patients who had equally low MIP and MEPs before training, but who raised their values with training and avoided the postoperative pulmonary complications. CONCLUSION: Preoperative respiratory muscle training may prevent postoperative pulmonary complications by increasing both inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Patients with respiratory muscle weakness have a higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Breathing Exercises↗
PubMed1994

Clinical evaluation of severe ischemic limbs by tissue reflection spectrophotometry.

The clinical usefulness of tissue reflection spectrophotometry in the prognosis of ischemic limbs was evaluated. The diseased group (n = 12) consisted of 7 cases of femoral artery thrombosis, 4 cases of chronic obstructive arteriosclerosis and 1 case of femoral vein thrombosis. The normal control group consisted of 14 limbs in 7 normal subjects (n = 14). Index of tissue hemoglobin concentration (IHb) was 37.3 +/- 4.5 (n = 14) in the normal control group and 38.5 +/- 16.9 (n = 12) in the diseased group, which was not significantly different. In a subgroup of patients who required amputation or developed necrosis (severe subgroup), the value was 54.2 +/- 1.7 (n = 6). This was significantly higher than the value of 22.8 +/- 8.5 (n = 6) obtained in a subgroup of patients who received the conservative treatment of thrombectomy (mild subgroup) (p < 0.05). Index of tissue oxygen saturation (ISO2) was 28.0 +/- 4.9 (n = 14) in the normal control group, and 9.1 +/- 2.7 (n = 12) in the diseased group (p < 0.05). ISO2 was 7.0 +/- 1.6 (n = 6) in the severe subgroup which was significantly lower than 11.2 +/- 1.9 (n = 6) in the mild subgroup (p < 0.05). Tissue reflection spectrophotometry therefore appears to provide clinically useful information for the prognosis of ischemic limbs.

Adult↗