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T Kawai

Publications and source records attributed to T Kawai.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Purification, characterization and gene cloning of 6-hydroxynicotinate 3-monooxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens TN5.

6-Hydroxynicotinate 3-monooxygenase, a membrane-bound, 42-kDa monomeric enzyme from Pseudomonas fluorescens TN5 was purified and characterized. The enzyme catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of 6-hydroxynicotinate and depends on O2, NADH and FAD with the holoenzyme containing 1 M of FAD per 1 M of enzyme. The isolated enzyme was used for the synthesis of 2,5-dihydroxypyridine, a precursor for the chemical synthesis of 5-aminolevulinic acid, which is applied as a plant growth hormone, a herbicide and in cancer therapy. A 1.8-kbp DNA fragment, which contains the ORF encoding 6-hydroxynicotinic acid 3-monooxygenase, was cloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. The deduced 385 amino acid sequence of the cloned ORF is in agreement with the enzyme molecular mass, amino acid sequence of an internal peptide, contains a putative FAD-binding site and is homologous to similar flavoproteins such as salicylate 1-monoxygenase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

MEN1 gene mutations in sporadic neuroendocrine tumors of foregut derivation.

Foregut-derived neuroendocrine (NE) tumors occur sporadically or in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome. Thirty-nine sporadic NE tumors of foregut derivation (six thymic, 21 bronchial, three gastric, and nine pancreatic tumors) as well as two hindgut-derived rectal carcinoids for somatic MEN1 gene mutation were analyzed by direct sequencing analysis. Five tumors showed mutations: nonsense mutations (Q393X and R98X) in thymic and pancreatic NE tumors, respectively, a 4 b.p. deletion (357del4) in a gastric NE carcinoma, and missense mutations (D172Y and S178Y) in pancreatic NE tumors. No mutation was identified in pulmonary or rectal NE tumors. In a patient with a pancreatic NE tumor (D172Y), the corresponding germline DNA showed the same mutation, suggesting that sporadic MEN1 syndrome was masked in this case. Somatic MEN1 gene mutations and deletions may play a crucial role in the tumorigenesis of a subset of foregut-derived NE tumors. Sporadic MEN1 syndrome may occur as a sporadic NE tumor of the pancreas.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

IKK-i, a novel lipopolysaccharide-inducible kinase that is related to IkappaB kinases.

Using the suppression subtractive hybridization technique, we isolated a novel kinase, IKK-i, whose message is drastically induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the mouse macrophage cell line RAW264. 7. The predicted protein contains the kinase domain in its N-terminus, which shares 30% identity to that of IKK-alpha or IKK-beta. The C-terminal portion contains a leucine zipper and a potential helix-loop-helix domain, as in the case of IKK-alpha and IKK-beta. IKK-i is expressed mainly in immune cells, and is induced in response to proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6, in addition to LPS. Overexpression of wild-type IKK-i phosphorylated serine residues Ser32 and Ser36 of IkappaB-alpha (preferentially Ser36), and significantly stimulated NF-kappaB activation. These results suggest that IKK-i is an inducible IkappaB kinase which may play a special role in the immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Cloning of the gene encoding the Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype b OmpA-like outer membrane protein.

The gene encoding an outer membrane protein A (OmpA)-like, heat-modifiable Omp of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43718 (strain Y4, serotype b) was cloned by a PCR cloning procedure. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the gene encodes a protein of 346 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 36.9 kDa. The protein expressed by the cloned gene reacted with a monoclonal antibody to the previously described 29-kDa Omp (Omp29) of strain Y4. This monoclonal antibody reacted specifically with Omp29 of A. actinomycetemcomitans (serotype b), but not with any Omp of Escherichia coli, including OmpA. This protein exhibited characteristic heat modifiability on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, showing an apparent molecular mass of 29 kDa when unheated and a mass of 34 kDa when heated. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein expressed in E. coli perfectly matched those deduced from the purified Omp29 of strain Y4. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene coding for Omp29 from serotype b matched completely (except for valine at position 321) that of a recently reported omp34 gene described for A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype c (NCTC 9710). Because of the conserved nature of the gene within these serotypes, we designated the gene described herein from serotype b as omp34.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗
PubMed1999

Expression of C-type natriuretic peptide during development of rat lung.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), recently found to be secreted from vascular endothelial cells, is now viewed as a novel endothelium-derived relaxing peptide. However, the distribution and expression of CNP during cardiopulmonary development is unclear. To follow changes in the expression of CNP during lung development, we examined rat embryos and neonates using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization for CNP mRNA and radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry for CNP protein. A substantial expression of CNP mRNA was first detected on postnatal day 2, and it thereafter remained fairly steady. The level of CNP protein also increased rapidly after postnatal day 1, reaching a settled level on postnatal day 4. CNP protein and mRNA were detected in the endothelium and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and in bronchial airway and alveolar epithelia. Immunoreactivity for CNP protein in the endothelium of blood vessels increased to an intense level after the saccular stage. These results suggest that the changes in CNP levels may be related to the occurrence of pulmonary vasodilation after birth.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Clara cell protein-positive epithelial cells are reduced in small airways of asthmatics.

Clara cell 10 kilodalton protein (CC10), the predominant product from nonciliated cells in the epithelial lining of bronchioles (Clara cells), has been shown to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and may play roles in controlling inflammation in the airway. This study was designed to examine immunohistochemical expression of CC10 in epithelial cells in small airways (perimeter < 6 mm) of asthmatic and control nonsmokers who underwent lung resection because of peripheral lung carcinoma and to compare CC10-positive epithelial cell proportions with numbers of inflammatory cells in small airways of asthmatics. Significantly decreased proportions of CC10-positive epithelial cells and significantly increased numbers of T cells, activated eosinophils, and mast cells in small airways of asthmatics were found compared with those of control subjects. CC10-positive epithelial cell proportions inversely correlated with numbers of T cells and mast cells in small airways of asthmatics. Decreases of CC10-producing cells may give an accelerating cause for further aggravation of inflammatory responses in chronic asthma.

Asthma↗
PubMed1999

Growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis in egg yolks from highly immunized hens.

This experiment was conducted to ascertain whether the growth of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) or Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) would be suppressed in the presence of antibodies contained in egg yolks. Specific pathogen-free chickens (102 days of age) were subcutaneously immunized with oil-adjuvanted bacterin of SE or ST, twice within a four-week interval. During 160 to 170 days of age, eggs were collected, the yolks were removed and mixed with an equal volume of physiological buffered saline, inoculated with ten colony forming units (CFU) of SE or ST, and incubated at 37 degrees C or 20 degrees C for 23 hr. The growth of organisms in each yolk solution was examined. The egg yolk derived from non-immunized hens was examined in the same manner as the controls. There was no difference in the growth titer between the antibody-positive yolk and the negative yolk. The result suggests that the antibodies in the yolk do not influence the growth of each organism, even if the hens are highly immunized.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Survey of patients with oblique facial clefts in Japan.

Oblique facial clefts constitute approximately 0.20% of all facial malformation cases in Japan and approximately 0.22% in other countries. In the present study, the proportion in our institute was approximately 0.21%, which is almost equal to that reported by WILSON et al. The ratio of male and female patients did not differ significantly from that in other countries.

Craniofacial Abnormalities↗
PubMed1999

[Coronary artery bypass surgery in octogenarian].

Between May 1992 and December 1997, 14 parents aged 80 or older underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass. (Group A: mean age 82.1 +/- 1.73). This group was compared with 127 patients aged 70s. (Group B: mean 73.3 +/- 0.70). Left main trunk stenosis was more frequent in group A (p < 0.05), and number of patient who had old myocardial infarction was also frequent (p < 0.05). Emergency operation and preoperative use of intra aortic balloon pump was frequent in group A (p < 0.05). While there was no significant change in the number of graft per patient and used number of internal thoracic artery between the two groups, postoperative complications such as atrial arrhythmia and respiratory failure was appeared more frequently in group A (p < 0.05). The hospital mortality did not differ between the groups (21.4% for group A and 14.2% for group B). In group A, 11 patients are alive without recurrence of angina. In conclusion, while there is many problems pre and post operative term, CABG in over 80 years patients of age was satisfactory result, so we should not exclude octogenarian because of age alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Palliation for a recurrent lung cancer patient with superior vena cava syndrome by arterial infusion of CDDP through the implantable port system--a case report].

A case of lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome treated with internal thoracic arterial infusion of anti-cancer drugs by the implantable port system was reported with our technique. In this case, blood supply was mainly from internal thoracic artery. A trans-catheterial contrast enhanced helical CT was very helpful to identify the routes of blood supply to the lung cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Early postoperative results of coronary revascularization with the radial artery: an analytical study of vascular diameter ratio of the graft and the coronary artery].

Between October 1996 and June 1988, radial artery grafts were used in 49 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization. There were three hospital deaths, none of them due to the use of radial artery. In 32 patients studied early, 33 of 34 radial artery grafts were patent (patency 97%), and 30 of 32 internal thoracic artery grafts (94%), 32 of 35 saphenous vein grafts (90%), 3 of 3 gastroepiploic artery grafts (100%) were patent respectively. The mean diameter ratio of graft and recipient coronary artery was 1.03 +/- 0.17 in radial artery, 0.92 +/- 0.16 in internal thoracic artery and 1.67 +/- 0.55 in saphenous vein graft. Our result suggest that the radial artery is an excellent conduit for myocardial revascularization, although a longer follow-up is mandatory.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Thrombopoietin expression in normal and hypobaric hypoxia-induced thrombocytopenic rats.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is important as the physiologic regulator of platelet production. High-altitude hypoxia is a well-known cause of polycythemia and thrombocytopenia in animals. Fifty-two Wistar rats were housed for 0.5 to 21 days in a mechanical chamber in an environment equivalent to that found at 5500 m to determine (a) the cellular localization of TPO and (b) whether the decreased platelet and megakaryocyte counts in rats exposed to a hypobaric hypoxic environment (HHE) are associated with an altered TPO mRNA expression. In normal rats, there were high levels of TPO mRNA in the liver and kidney, intermediate levels in the brain and large intestine, and low levels in the skeletal muscle and small intestine. TPO mRNA and protein were expressed in Purkinje cells and neuronal cells in the brain, in proximal tubular cells and the mesangial cells of the glomeruli in the kidney, in hepatocytes and biliary duct epithelial cells, in absorptive epithelial cells in the large intestine, in the epidermis, and in the lung. The platelet count in the blood and megakaryocyte counts in the bone marrow and spleen were all decreased significantly after 5 or more days of exposure to HHE. In major producers such as the liver and kidney and in minor producers such as the brain, TPO mRNA levels, which tended to be decreased after 0.5 to 3 days of exposure to HHE, had returned to normal by about Day 5 or 7. Thus, during the HHE period with a decreased platelet count, no changes in TPO mRNA levels were detected in these three organs. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that TPO production occurs in various types of cells. In HHE, however, factors other than TPO may be involved in hypobaric hypoxia-induced thrombocytopenia in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Susceptibilities of Enterococcus faecium, PRSP and MRSA to RP59500 and their correlations with those to other drugs].

Investigations on emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) which has recently been attracting attention, especially in the Western countries, have been conducted in Japan. A total of 1,239 isolates of E. faecium were collected from 19 institutions during the period of April 1995 and June 1996, in the purpose of evaluating susceptibilities to variety of antimicrobial agents, including RP59500 and vancomycin (VCM), and detecting vancomycin-resistant genes (van genes). Susceptibilities of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were also studied. As a result, 2 isolates of E. faecium were found to be moderately resistant to VCM showing MIC of 8 micrograms/ml though the final identification in species level and the detection of van genes by PCR method have not been completed. On the other hand there detected no MRSA nor PRSP showing moderately resistant or resistant to VCM. It was concluded that RP59500 and VCM possessed favorable activity against clinically isolated E. faecium, PRSP and MRSA. Among other species of enterococci, moderately resistant strains to VCM showing MIC of 8 micrograms/ml were detected; 10 isolates of E. gallinarum, 4 of E. casseliflavus and 2 of E. flavescens. In those isolates, vanC1 and vanC2 were detected by PCR, and vanB was also detected in a isolates of E. gallinarum simultaneously.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting for acute coronary syndrome].

Emergency CABG for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was studied. Sixty patients had CABG for medically refractory UAP, 78 patients for AMI and 8 patients for post-infarction angina (PIA). In UAP group 7 patients (12%) died postoperatively, mainly due to perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) and operative complications. In AMI group, 26 patients (33%) died, 14 of them due to myocardial failure. The operative mortality was extremely high in shock-state patients group (48%) and cardiac pulmonary arrest state patients group (85%). Operative result was poor in those patients whose infarct-related artery was not recanalized preoperatively. Operative mortality was 13% in PIA group. It was concluded that the reduction of mortality of those patients required much refined myocardial preservation technique and powerful mechanical assist system to support the postoperative myocardial failure.

Aged↗