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Biomedical subjects

K Kano

Publications and source records attributed to K Kano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

No effect of fluvastatin on the bone mineral density of children with minimal change glomerulonephritis and some focal mesangial cell proliferation, other than an ameliorating effect on their proteinuria.

AIM: There are conflicting data regarding the clinical benefit of the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in osteoporosis. We have reported that fluvastatin (a statin) is effective in improving proteinuria and renal function in childhood IgA nephropathy with mild histological findings and moderate proteinuria. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of fluvastatin on the bone mineral density, bone metabolic markers, proteinuria, and renal function of children with minimal change glomerulonephritis with some focal mesangial cell proliferation whose glomeruli did not stain positive for IgA and on moderate proteinuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective controlled study of 36 children who had recently been diagnosed with normocholesterolemic minimal change glomerulonephritis with some focal mesangial cell proliferation and moderate proteinuria, and in whom strenuous exercise was restricted. The 36 patients were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg of fluvastatin (group 1) or 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole (group 2) for two years. RESULTS: By the end of the trial, there was no difference in BMD between the groups, and there were no changes in the four bone metabolic parameters. However, the urinary protein, hematuria and BUN levels had significantly decreased in group 1 compared to baseline, and the serum total protein and albumin levels and creatinine clearance had significantly increased in group 1 compared to baseline and group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that fluvastatin therapy has an antiproteinuric effect and improves renal function in moderately proteinuric patients with mild histological glomerulonephritis, but does not increase BMD.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed2004

Estimation of estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of selected pesticides by MCF-7 cell proliferation assay.

Estrogenic activities of 20 selected pesticides-which are used for agricultural production as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides-were examined by estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent MCF-7 cell proliferation assay. Among them, chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, gamma-HCH, fenarimol, EPN, triadimefon, and triadimenol had estrogenic activities, all of which were suppressed by the addition of pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. The first 5 compounds exhibited binding capacities to ERalpha. The antiestrogenic activity of a compound was examined by estimating its suppressive effect on cell proliferation induced by 30 pM 17beta-estradiol. Strongly suspected antiestrogens were captan and myclobutanil, both of which were found to have the capacity to bind to ERalpha and which might exert their activities by competing at the level of ERalpha. Antiestrogenic activities of nitrofen, fenitrothion, fenarimol and triadimefon were also suggested. Affinities of the compounds for ERalpha and/or androgen receptor (AR) were lower than those of synthetic estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) and testosterone (mibolerone), respectively. Fenitrothion had the highest affinity to AR. Chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, nitrofen, fenarimol, myclobutanil and pyridate had capacities to bind both ERalpha and AR. Chlordecone and pyridate were much more effective as competitors of estrogen binding to ERalpha than androgen binding to AR and, conversely, nitrofen was a more effective competitor of androgen binding to AR.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2004

Vitamin D deficiency rickets due to soybean milk.

We describe vitamin D deficiency rickets in an infant nursed with soybean milk (not specifically designed for infants) instead of cow's milk-based infant formula. Symptoms included irritability and carpopedal spasm when crying. The infant's condition improved with nutrition by vitamin-enriched cow's milk-based infant formula, oral administration 1 alpha-hydroxy vitamin D3 and exposure to sunlight. Content analysis of the milk showed very low calcium, phosphate, magnesium and vitamin D levels compared to cow's milk-based infant milk formulas. This case highlights the unsuitability of soybean milk as the sole provider of infant nutrition and demonstrates the false perception that soybean milk is a healthy food for infants. It is necessary to be cautious about not only health claims for soybean milk, but also today's health and natural food booms. Social enlightenment and correction of such misperceptions are necessary.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Development of efficient strategies for the production of genetically modified pigs.

Although pronuclear DNA micro-injection has long been the most reliable method to produce transgenic pigs, the efficiency of production of transgenic offspring is generally plagued by 1% of the DNA-injected embryos. Therefore, a problem with this method is the need for large numbers of pronuclear stage embryos. One great advancement would be the use of in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes for the purpose of transgenic pig production. High developmental competence of IVM oocytes was proven by transfer of parthenogenetic IVM oocytes. A combined method of sperm vectors with the IVM of oocytes would make the production of transgenic pigs remarkably feasible. Rate of blastocyst formation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) by frozen sperm was over 20%, and transgene was expressed in approximately 50% of blastocysts generated. Somatic cell nuclear transfer would enable more efficient and sophisticated genetic modification of the pig. Simultaneous comparison between two nuclear transfer methods by electro-fusion and intracytoplasmic injection revealed clear differences in the pattern of nuclear remodeling and development of the reconstructed embryos. To specify the donor cell type that allows efficient genetic modification and easy reprogramming or to establish such cell lines is a critical issue in pig cloning. We tested pre-adipocytes from the subcutaneous adipose tissue of adult pigs for nuclear transfer. Cell cycle synchronization by differentiation induction is unique to the pre-adipocytes. Frequency of apoptosis was low in the cells synchronized by differentiation induction compared with other synchronization methods, including serum starvation, confluency, and chemical treatment. It would be of great worth if cryopreserved clone embryos were available. We have demonstrated that cryopreservation of in vitro-produced porcine embryos as well as clone blastocysts is possible by our unique method.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Cell death induced by the phenolic antioxidant tert-butylhydroquinone and its metabolite tert-butylquinone in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells.

2-tert-Butyl-4-hydroquinone (TBHQ), a phenolic antioxidant used as a food additive, and its metabolite 2-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TBQ) were both cytotoxic in human monocytic leukemia U937 cells, TBQ being the more strongly cytotoxic. Both compounds induced caspase activity towards DEVD-MCA as a substrate and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in cells. Enzyme activities of caspase-3,-7,-6 and -9 seemed to be induced, and procaspases-3 and-7 were processed to active forms in cells treated with TBHQ and TBQ. They induced nuclear condensation and fragmentation in some cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed severe disruption of mitochondrial structure and the formation of intracellular vacuoles. Morphological changes were more marked in the cells treated with TBHQ than TBQ. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was disrupted. Cytochrome c was released from mitochondria to cytosol and ATP level was moderately decreased by the treatment of cells with these chemicals. Cellular glutathione (GSH) appeared to contribute to defense against cell death induced by TBQ, but its contribution was not marked in the case of TBHQ. TBHQ and TBQ exhibited the apoptotic features in various assays, but the mode of cell death may not be defined as a typical apoptosis or necrosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Effect of fluvastatin and dipyridamole on proteinuria and renal function in childhood IgA nephropathy with mild histological findings and moderate proteinuria.

AIM: In recent reports, some kinds of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors were able to decrease proteinuria and to improve renal function. Here we aimed to clarify the effect of fluvastatin (an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) on proteinuria and renal function in children with mild IgA nephropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective controlled study of 30 children who had been recently diagnosed with normocholesterolemic IgA nephropathy following the detection of a minor lesion or of focal mesangial proliferation and moderate proteinuria. The 30 patients were randomly assigned to receive both of 20 mg of fluvastatin and 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole (group 1), or 5 mg/kg of dipyridamole only (group 2) for 1 year. RESULTS: By the end of the trial, urinary protein, hematuria, BUN and serum creatinine levels had significantly decreased in the patients of group 1 as compared to baseline. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels had significantly decreased, while serum total protein and albumin, and creatinine clearance had significantly increased in group 1 as compared to baseline and group 2. The urinary protein level had significantly decreased in the group 2 patients as compared to baseline, but only slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that fluvastatin and dipyridamole treatment yields an antiproteinuric effect and leads to the amelioration of renal function in moderately proteinuric patients with mild histological IgA nephropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Production of active bovine cathepsin C (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii.

The heterologous production of active bovine cathepsin C (CTC; dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) was investigated. Attempts to express CTC in Escherichia coli were hampered by formation of inclusion bodies that were partially degraded. To overcome this impediment, secretion of recombinant CTC was attempted in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii. A DNA fragment encoding bovine procathepsin C was synthesized based on preferred codon usage in C. boidinii and placed downstream of the C. boidinii proteinase A signal sequence resulting in secretion of active CTC into the culture medium. The gene was expressed under the control of the methanol-inducible formate dehydrogenase gene promoter. Production levels were significantly improved by using a protease-deficient strain, changing medium composition, and by lowering the temperature of induction. When the recombinant C. boidinii was grown for 90 h in a jar-fermenter, active CTC was secreted with a yield of up to approximately 12 mg/l.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

2-Amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone affects the end-product profile of bifidobacteria through the mediated oxidation of NAD(P)H.

Glucose metabolism of bifidobacteria in the presence of 2-amino-3-carboxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (ACNQ), a specific growth stimulator for bifidobacteria, and ferricyanide (Fe(CN)(6)(3-)) as an extracellular electron acceptor was examined using resting cells of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve. NAD(P)H in the cells is oxidized by ACNQ with the aid of diaphorase activity, and reduced ACNQ donates the electron to Fe(CN)(6)(3-). Exogenous oxidation of NADH by the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system suppresses the endogenous lactate dehydrogenase reaction competitively, which results in the remarkable generation of pyruvate and a decrease in lactate production. In addition, a decrease in acetate generation is also observed in the presence of ACNQ and Fe(CN)(6)(3-). This phenomenon could not be explained in terms of the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase pathway, but suggests rather that glucose is partially metabolized via the hexose monophosphate pathway. This was verified by NADP(+)-induced reduction of Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in cell-free extracts in the presence of ACNQ. Effects of the ACNQ/Fe(CN)(6)(3-) system on anaerobically harvested cells were also examined. Stoichiometric analysis of the metabolites from the pyruvate-formate lyase pathway suggests that exogenous oxidation of NADH is an efficient method to produce ATP in this pathway.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2002

Bone growth oscillation: longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and nonendocrine short stature.

To clarify the longitudinal metabolic process of bone growth in children, we observed the relationship between the level of serum osteocalcin (OC), a marker of bone metabolism, and growth velocity in 10 prepubertal patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency and 9 prepubertal patients with nonendocrine short stature (NESS), but no major hormonal abnormalities influencing bone metabolism. Observations were made every 6 months over a 7-year period. In patients with CAH who exhibited a wide variation in growth velocity during the course of the investigation, the levels of OC fluctuated over a wide range, suggesting metabolically variable bone growth. In contrast, in patients with NESS who exhibited a relatively stable growth velocity, the OC level remained within a narrow range, suggesting metabolically stable bone growth. The meaning of such divergent metabolic processes of bone growth observed in CAH and NESS and its relationship to actual bone structure or bone intensity should be further investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Structure of a quinohemoprotein amine dehydrogenase with an uncommon redox cofactor and highly unusual crosslinking.

The crystal structure of the heterotrimeric quinohemoprotein amine dehydrogenase from Paracoccus denitrificans has been determined at 2.05-A resolution. Within an 82-residue subunit is contained an unusual redox cofactor, cysteine tryptophylquinone (CTQ), consisting of an orthoquinone-modified tryptophan side chain covalently linked to a nearby cysteine side chain. The subunit is surrounded on three sides by a 489-residue, four-domain subunit that includes a diheme cytochrome c. Both subunits sit on the surface of a third subunit, a 337-residue seven-bladed beta-propeller that forms part of the enzyme active site. The small catalytic subunit is internally crosslinked by three highly unusual covalent cysteine to aspartic or glutamic acid thioether linkages in addition to the cofactor crossbridge. The catalytic function of the enzyme as well as the biosynthesis of the unusual catalytic subunit is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Chiral recognition of helical metal complexes by modified cyclodextrins.

Chirality of metal complexes M(phen)3(n+) (M = Ru(II), Rh(III), Fe(II), Co(II), and Zn(II), and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is recognized by heptakis(6-carboxymethylthio-6-deoxy)-beta-cyclodextrin heptaanion (per-CO2(-)-beta-CD) and hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (TMe-alpha-CD) in D2O. The binding constant (K) for the Delta-Ru(phen)3(2+) complex of per-CO2(-)-beta-CD (K = 1250 M(-1)) in 0.067 M phosphate buffer at pD 7.0 is approximately 2 times larger than that for the Lambda-isomer (590 M(-1)). Definite effects of inorganic salts on stability of the complexes indicate a large contribution of Coulomb interactions to complexation. The fact that hydrophilic Ru(bpy)3(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) does not form a complex with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD suggests the importance of inclusion of the guest molecule into the host cavity for forming a stable ion-association complex. The positive entropy change for complexation of Ru(phen)3(2+) with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD shows that dehydration from both the host and the guest occurs upon complexation. Similar results were obtained with trivalent Rh(phen)3(3+) cation. Pfeiffer effects were observed in complexation of racemic Fe(phen)3(2+), Co(phen)3(2+), and Zn(phen)3(2+) with per-CO2(-)-beta-CD with enriched Delta-isomers. Native cyclodextrins such as alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins as well as heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin do not interact with Ru(bpy)3(2+). However, hexakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (TMe-alpha-CD) interacts with Ru(phen)3(2+) and Ru(bpy)3(2+) and discriminates between the enantiomers of these metal complexes. The K values for the Delta- and Lambda-Ru(phen)3(2+) ions are 54 and 108 M(-1), respectively. Complexation of the Delta- and Lambda-isomers of Ru(phen)3(2+) with TMe-alpha-CD is accompanied by negative entropy changes, suggesting that cationic Ru(phen)3(2+) is shallowly included into the cavity of the neutral host through van der Waals interactions. The Delta-enantiomer, having a right-handed helix configuration, fits the primary OH group side of per-CO2(-)-beta-CD (SCH2CO2(-) side) well, while the Lambda-enantiomer, having a left-handed helix configuration, is preferably bound to the secondary OH group side of TMe-alpha-CD. The asymmetrically twisted shape of a host cavity seems to be the origin of chiral recognition by cyclodextrin.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Ca(2+) stabilizes the semiquinone radical of pyrroloquinoline quinone.

Spectroelectrochemical studies were performed on the interaction between Ca(2+) and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in soluble glucose dehydrogenase (sGDH) and in the free state by applying a mediated continuous-flow column electrolytic spectroelectrochemical technique. The enzyme forms used were holo-sGDH (the holo-form of sGDH from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus) and an incompletely reconstituted form of this, holo-X, in which the PQQ-activating Ca(2+) is lacking. The spectroelectrochemical and ESR data clearly demonstrated the generation of the semiquinone radical of PQQ in holo-sGDH and in the free state in the presence of Ca(2+). In contrast, in the absence of Ca(2+) no semiquinone was observed, either for PQQ in the free state (at pH 7.0) or in the enzyme (holo-X). Incorporation of Ca(2+) into the active site of holo-X, yielding holo-sGDH, caused not only stabilization of the semiquinone form of PQQ but also a negative shift (of 26.5 mV) of the two-electron redox potential, indicating that the effect of Ca(2+) is stronger on the oxidized than on the reduced PQQ. Combining these data with the observations on the kinetic and chemical mechanisms, it was concluded that the strong stimulating effect of Ca(2+) on the activity of sGDH can be attributed to facilitation of certain kinetic steps, and not to improvement of the thermodynamics of substrate oxidation. The consequences of this conclusion are discussed for the oxidative as well as for the reductive part of the reaction of sGDH.

Acinetobacter calcoaceticus↗
PubMed2001

Polyacrylamides as hydrophilic selectors in non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis.

Polyacrylamides (PAAms) were investigated as hydrophilic selectors in non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (CE). Separation of 10 substituted benzoates and unsubstituted benzoate as model samples was greatly improved by the addition of PAAms in acetonitrile-CE. The migration behavior indicates that the carbonyl moiety of PAAms works as a good hydrogen-accepting site toward hydrogen-donating analytes such as 4-hydroxybenzoate anion (4OH-BA) in acetonitrile. PAAms also serve as electron-accepting agents with its amide proton interacting with the dissociated carboxyl groups of the benzoates. The ion-dipole interaction is useful to control the migration behavior of benzoates without hydrogen-donating substituents. The overall mode of the interaction is similar to that of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 20000 reported previously, but the complex formation constant of poly(N-tert.-butyl)acrylamide (PBAAm) with 40H-BA estimated here was 130-fold larger than that of PEG 20000. This would be ascribed to the strong basicity of the carbonyl oxygen atoms of PBAAm as compared with the ether oxygen atoms of PEG. Furthermore, a copolymer of (N-tert.-butyl)acrylamide-acrylamide [70:30 (in feed)] exhibited a complex formation constant of about fourfold larger toward 4OH-BA than PBAAm, most probably due to decrease in steric hindrance from the tert.-butyl groups. Adrenaline and its six precursors have been separated successfully using the PAAms.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2001

Capillary zone electrophoretic chiral discrimination using a cationic cyclodextrin derivative: determination of velocity and association constants of each enantiomer of the amino acid derivative with 6-trimethylammonio-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin.

A positively charged beta-cyclodextrin possessing a trimethylammonio group, 6-trimethylammonio-6-deoxy-beta-cyclodextrin chloride 1 was prepared by the reaction of an amino derivative 3 with methyl iodide under very mild conditions. The cyclodextrin derivative discriminated between enantiomers of acetylphenylalanine 2 on capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) analysis, which was possibly due to an electrostatic interaction between the trimethylammonio group of 1 and the carboxylate group of 2, and also due to the inclusion of 2 in a hydrophobic molecular cavity of 1. Double data normalization based on relative electrophoretic velocity of peaks due to indirect response of 1 and also water in an injected sample may be effective for elimination of variation and fluctuation of physical parameters of medium, such as viscosity and ionic strength, in order to determine intrinsic association constants and velocity of the complexes.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2001

Application of capillary electrophoresis to monitor populations of Cellulomonas cartae KYM-7 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens KYM-8 in mixed culture.

A bacterial cell mixture ot Cellulomonas cartae KYM-7 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens KYM-8 was analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE). Both pherograms showed two discrete peaks. The cells in the peaks were collected, Gram stained, and examined with a microscope. The cells of the two strains were well separated by OGE, and each OGE peak consisted almost entirely of cells of one strain (greater than 98% purity), whereas each CZE peak contained cells of both strains (about 90% purity). In the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(10) to 1.0 x 10(12) cells/mL, the area of CGE peaks was proportional to the amount of cells. The growth of the two strains in mixed culture was measured by OGE. The OGE quantification data were in good agreement with those obtained using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The CGE analyses were accomplished in 1 h, using a relatively uncomplicated procedure. Thus, OGE exhibited great advantages in accuracy, rapidity, and simplicity.

Actinomycetales↗