Chymase shows a catalytic efficiency in the formation of angiotensin (Ang) II. In the present study, the characterization and primary structure of monkey chymase were determined, and the pathophysiological role of chymase was investigated on the atherosclerotic monkey aorta. Monkey chymase was purified from cheek pouch vascular tissue using heparin affinity and gel filtration columns. The enzyme rapidly converted Ang I to Ang II (K m -98 uM, k cstt -6203/min) but did not degrade several peptide hormones such as Ang II, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide and bradykinin. The primary structure, which was deduced from monkey chymase cDNA, showed a high homology to that of human chymase (98%). The mRNA levels of the aorta chymase were significantly increased in the atherosclerotic aorta of monkeys fed a high-cholesterol diet. These results indicate that monkey chymase has a highly specific Ang Il-forming activity and may be related to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
In recent years the electronic endoscope has been increasingly used by medical practitioners in Japan. However, it has been noted that the problem of too strong light refection, which, not only hampers the procedure but also causes eye exhaustion, at the same time making photographic or computerized image processing difficult, is more frequently experienced and is more serious in magnitude when compared with using a conventional fiberoptic endoscope (catch‐light phenomenon). In order to ameliorate this problem the authors experimented with the use of circularly polarized light. The combined use of a circular polarizing device to the efferent light path and a filter which blocks certain types of Circularly polarized light to the afferent path has proved to be very effective in eliminating the incidence of catch‐light troubles, thus making the endoscopic procedure smooth and efficient.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.