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J Noda

Publications and source records attributed to J Noda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Crystal structure of alkaline cellulase K: insight into the alkaline adaptation of an industrial enzyme.

The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of alkaline cellulase K was determined at 1.9 A resolution. Because of the most alkaliphilic nature and it's highest activity at pH 9.5, it is used commercially in laundry detergents. An analysis of the structural bases of the alkaliphilic character of the enzyme suggested a mechanism similar to that previously proposed for alkaline proteases, that is, an increase in the number of Arg, His, and Gln residues, and a decrease in Asp and Lys residues. Some ion pairs were formed by the gained Arg residues, which is similar to what has been found in the alkaline proteases. Lys-Asp ion pairs are disfavored and partly replaced with Arg-Asp ion pairs. The alkaline adaptation appeared to be a remodeling of ion pairs so that the charge balance is kept in the high pH range.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of fragmented keratin as a new drug carrier.

Two types of fragmented keratin were prepared from buffalo horn and hoof using savinase and Na2S, and their physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties were examined in mice. The number-average molecular weight of enzymatically fragmented keratin (E-FK), chemically fragmented keratin (C-FK), and fragmented gelatin (FG) were 8000, 33,000, and 6600, respectively. The systematic acute toxicity of FKs was significantly low. Moreover, the immunogenicity of FKs was significantly lower than that of superoxide dismutase. FKs and FG were partially hydrolyzed by trypsin. FKs were digested easily by alpha-chymotrypsin, but FG underwent less hydrolysis under the same conditions. FKs were bound to plasma proteins, including albumin, and also to some proteins in liver and kidney homogenates. In plasma, E-FK was hydrolyzed slowly, but in liver and kidney homogenates it showed slightly faster hydrolysis. In contrast, FG was not hydrolyzed in any of the media used here. After intravenous administration of FKs and FG to mice, these molecules were rapidly eliminated from the plasma. E-FK and C-FK were taken up into the kidneys (CLuptake, kidney; 10,400, 11,600 microliters/h/g), and then gradually excreted in urine. FG was excreted rapidly into urine (CLurine; 6360 microliters/h). Interestingly, C-FK was also taken up into the liver (CLliver; 4820 microliters/h). These results indicated that fragmented keratins are biodegradable materials and might be used as new types of liver- and kidney-specific targeting carriers.

Amino Acids↗

Pharmacological advantages of conjugation of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase with succinylated keratin fragment: improvement of biological properties and resistance to oxidative damage.

To improve the in vivo pharmacological potential of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), human recombinant Cu,Zn-SOD was conjugated with succinylated keratin fragment (Suc-ker). Suc-ker-conjugated Cu,Zn-SOD (Suc-ker-SOD) was formed by attachment of about 3.7 mol of Suc-ker to 1 mol of Cu,Zn-SOD and exhibited an apparent mean molecular weight of 107 kDa. Suc-ker-SOD exhibited 74.1% SOD activity on a molar basis. When Suc-ker-SOD was administered i.v. into mice, its plasma half-life was prolonged to 20.5 min compared with 4.7 min for native SOD. After i.v. administration of 51Cr-labeled proteins into mice, native SOD was excreted rapidly into urine and no significant accumulation was observed in organs other than the kidneys. On the other had, Suc-ker-SOD was taken up rapidly by the liver. Furthermore, Suc-ker-SOD exhibited much lower immunogenicity and much better therapeutic effects than native and poly(styrene-co-maleic acid)-conjugated SOD against paraquat toxicity in mice. Moreover, the inactivation rate of Suc-ker-SOD by H2O2 was less than those of native SOD and polyethylene glycol-conjugated SOD. The effect of H2O2 on liganded Cu++ in the active site of Suc-ker-SOD was much less than those of other SOD derivatives. These results indicate that Suc-ker-SOD has advantages over the other SOD derivatives tested.

Animals↗

[Perioperative management of patients with Meigs syndrome].

We report our perioperative management of three cases of Meigs syndrome. The major pre-operative problems in Meigs syndrome are physical trouble caused by giant mass in peritoneal space, respiratory distress, and poor nutrition. These problems must be settled before the operation. The important points in the pre-operative management are 1) respiratory care employing the intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) and the pleural effusion drainage, and 2) the correction of intravascular volume and the concentration of albumin and hemoglobin by transfusion of massive lactated Ringer solution and albumin solution and/or whole blood when they are necessary. During the operation, the epidural anesthesia under spontaneous breathing is the best method of anesthesia. According to circumstances, we adopt the intra-tracheal intubation with continuous positive airway pressure breathing (CPAP). We can generally deal with excessive bleeding by transfusion of lactated Ringer solution and plasma expander, during the first half of operation. By the end of the operation, however, the correction of the concentration of albumin and hemoglobin must be made by the fresh frozen plasma and blood transfusion. After the operation, we use epidural analgesia to control the postoperative pain. We have succeeded in the treatment of three cases of Meigs syndrome owing to our perioperative management as described above.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

[The effectiveness of cervical epidural block for the treatment of status asthmaticus].

Epidural anesthesia is currently used for the operation of patients who have bronchial asthma. We have ascertained the effectiveness of cervical epidural block for the treatment of status asthmaticus even in the ICU. The present patient had repeated history of severe asthma and was no longer expected to respond to the routine therapy. After we failed to wean him from the ventilator several times, we performed cervical epidural block on him. His condition improved dramatically after the block and he was easily weaned from the ventilator. The three notable improvements are (1) no use of sedatives, (2) normalized arterial blood pH with decrease in expiratory resistance and (3) stabilization of circulation. Sympathetic nervous system is excited in patients with asthmatic attack. As a result, high concentrations of catecholamines deteriorate general condition of patients. On the other hand, cervical epidural block seems to be effective to prevent hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Our result suggests that alpha-adrenergic effect of epinephrine which is given as a routine therapeutic drug, will very likely worsen asthmatic attack.

Adult↗

Multiple xanthogranulomas in an adult.

Xanthogranulomas develop in adults as well as in children; however, adult cases with multiple lesions are very rare. We report an adult who developed both multiple cutaneous lesions on the face and trunk and lesions on the conjunctiva, oral mucosa and genitalia. We believe that this is the first such case described.

Adult↗

Contribution of prostacyclin to D-tubocurarine-induced hypotension in humans.

In order to evaluate the role of prostacyclin in d-tubocurarine-induced hypotension in human, the authors examined the relationship of changes of arterial blood pressure and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level following iv administration of d-tubocurarine (dTc), with or without prior administration of aspirin and H1 antagonist. The bolus injection of dTc 0.6 mg/kg caused a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) that was associated with a significant increase in plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (P less than 0.05 in both). The maximum MAP decrease and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha increase were noted at 2 min after dTc administration. Pretreatment with aspirin DL-lysine (25 mg/kg) or diphenhydramine (1 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the responses of MAP (P less than 0.05 in both) and plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level (P less than 0.01 for aspirin group, P less than 0.05 for diphenhydramine group). There was a significant correlation between the changes in plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and those in MAP (Kendall tau (tau) = -0.504, P less than 0.01). These findings suggest that a bolus injection of dTc induces a release of prostacyclin through H1 receptor, which is responsible for the dTc-induced transient decrease of blood pressure in humans.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine for cancer pain control.

The continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine, a new approach to the relief of severe cancer pain, has been carried out using a portable infusion pump. The efficacy of this method was examined in 30 patients by visual analogue scale. An infusion rate of 4 micrograms/kg/day following intramuscular administration of 0.004 micrograms/kg gave satisfactory pain relief without serious complications. The minimum effective blood concentration was not detectable by high-performance liquid chromatography. Advantages of this therapy are its simplicity, applicability in many types of cancer, multiple sites of administration, and easier training on the part of health personnel.

Adult↗

Effect of continuously warmed irrigating solution during transurethral resection.

The effects of a continuously warmed irrigating solution on body temperature during transurethral resection of the prostate and of bladder tumours were studied in forty patients. Anaesthesia was spinal and deep body temperatures of the forehead and lower abdomen were measured, using a deep body thermometry system. Both forehead and lower abdominal deep body temperatures decreased significantly in the patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate with an irrigating solution at operating room temperature, but did not decrease in the patients who received a continuously warmed irrigating solution. The same results were obtained for the patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour. Our results indicate that a continuously warmed irrigating solution could prevent the fall in body temperature during transurethral resection, especially prostate resection, under spinal anaesthesia.

Aged↗

[Treatment of cancer pain by continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine].

The efficacy of continuous subcutaneous infusion of buprenorphine for the treatment of terminal cancer pain was studied. Continuous subcutaneous administration of 4-8 micrograms/kg/day of buprenorphine, examined by the visual analogue scale was revealed to have satisfactory analgesic potency for control of every type of terminal cancer. This therapy can be undertaken by any member of the medical staff because of its safety and simplicity. The indications for this method are almost unlimited when the subcutaneous tissue can absorb the drug at a constant rate. Continuous subcutaneous buprenorphine administration via a portable infusion pump allows patients with severe pain from cancer the opportunity to move about freely.

Buprenorphine↗

Acetaldehyde syndrome after celiac plexus alcohol block.

In the course of celiac plexus alcohol block, facial flushing, palpitations, and hypotension are occasionally incurred in some patients. We hypothesized that the phenomenon represents acetaldehyde syndrome, not response to increased blood levels of ethanol as might be supposed. In order to prove our hypothesis, we selected five patients scheduled to undergo celiac plexus alcohol block, and, with their consent, we measured blood concentration of ethanol and acetaldehyde before and for 6 hr after the block. We also determined the phenotypes of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in their hair roots. We found that "flushers" are found exclusively among subjects without ALDH I, and that their blood levels of acetaldehyde were significantly higher than those of "non-flushers" within 10 min after the block. The flushers also gave histories of facial flushing after ingestion of small amounts of ethanol. On the basis of such histories one can anticipate whether acetaldehyde syndrome is likely or unlikely to accompany the block.

Acetaldehyde↗

A fatal methamphetamine poisoning associated with hyperpyrexia.

After self-administration of 0.05 g of methamphetamine hydrochloride intravenously on three occasions at intervals of 3 h, a 25-year-old female methamphetamine abuser ingested approximately 1.5 g of methamphetamine hydrochloride, and was found dead 3-4 h later. Complete rigor mortis was observed 1-2 h after death and the rectal temperature was 38.4 degrees C 3-4 h after death. Distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the body was analyzed by chemical ionization mass fragmentography. Amphetamine/methamphetamine concentrations (mumol/100 g) were 0.26/28.8 in blood, 0.64/68.2 in brain, 0.96/117.1 in liver, 0.53/50.6 in kidney, and 1.49/1045 in stomach contents. Total amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride in stomach contents was 11.6 mg. Amphetamine in tissues was a metabolite of methamphetamine, and amphetamine in stomach contents resulted from excretion into saliva and gastric mucous excretion. With rectal temperature at death estimated at more than 41 degrees C, it would seem that hyperpyrexia played an important role in causing death from methamphetamine poisoning.

Adult↗

Articles found in the possession of a methamphetamine abuser.

A plastic syringe containing bloody fluid, 2 ampules of 20% glucose, and ampule containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride and calcium bromide, powder in a plastic bag and powder wrapped in paper were among the articles found in the possession of a 42-year-old male methamphetamine abuser, who had been taken to a mental hospital owing to his hallucinations. Examination of the patient revealed several recent needle punctures on the left forearm. The concentration of methamphetamine and its metabolite, amphetamine, in blood collected 1 day following the last intake was 76 nmol/100 g. Analysis of the powder and of the contents of the syringe revealed methamphetamine hydrochloride at a concentration of 99.0-99.5% and 7.4%, respectively. Neither glucose nor diphenhydramine were detected in the contents of the syringe. It would seem that the patient abused methamphetamine hydrochloride by intravenous injection after dissolving it in city water or distilled water.

Adult↗