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Biomedical subjects

A Higuchi

Publications and source records attributed to A Higuchi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Audiological study for ears with aural stenosis and atresia].

The audiological study for ears with aural stenosis and atresia was performed. The hearing level of ears with three types of ear plugs (with the hole of phi 1mm, with the hole of phi 3mm and without the hole) was tested experimentally by 10 normal hearing subjects in pure tone audiometry, and the audiograms of congenital and acquired aural stenosis and atresia were investigated statistically. And then following results were obtained. 1) The air conduction levels were higher, as the diameter of ear plug's hole got shorter in normal hearing subjects. And the shape of their audiograms was gradual sloping type. 2) The air conduction levels of ears with congenital aural stenosis and atresia were almost from 60 to 70 dB, and the levels were almost same throughout 7 frequencies. But the audiograms of ears with acquired aural stenosis and atresia showed conductive and gradual sloping type. 3) From the results mentioned above, the reason why the hearing loss of ears with aural stenosis and atresia showed conductive hearing loss limited to low and middle frequencies was considered to depend on the abnormality of the middle ear. 4) An average value of hearing threshold level in bone conduction among normal hearing subjects with three types of ear plugs was almost -7.8dB. There was no relation between the size of ear plug's hole and the shift of bone conduction level.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Fibrinogen Sapporo: dysfibrinogenemia characterized by the replacement of A alpha arginine-16 by histidine resulting in the delayed release of fibrinopeptide A by thrombin.

Congenital dysfibrinogenemia was found in a 60-year-old asymptomatic female and her daughter. Purified fibrinogen derived from the propositus, apparently a heterozygote for the abnormality, characteristically showed delayed but complete release of fibrinopeptide A upon digestion with thrombin but its defective release by Ancrod, a snake venom enzyme, from half of her fibrinogen molecules. This congenital dysfibrinogenemia with an A alpha arginine (Arg) to histidine (His) substitution was tentatively designated as fibrinogen Sapporo. Although this type of abnormal fibrinogen had been identified among Caucasians, no such cases have so far been reported in Japan.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Long-term follow-up of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II and pregnancy: a case report.

A 24-year-old female was diagnosed as having membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (or dense deposit disease), 11 years prior to becoming pregnant. The patient's first renal biopsy was performed 5 years after the onset of her renal symptoms. This biopsy was compared to a second renal biopsy taken just before the patient became pregnant. The second renal biopsy only showed a slight progression in the disease process. During the course of pregnancy, neither renal insufficiency nor hypertension were clinically evident. However, both an increase in proteinuria and a transient hypoalbuminemia were observed. The pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum course for both the mother and child were without complications. Cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I and pregnancy have been reported. However, to our knowledge, there are few reports documenting the outcome of pregnancy when a patient has membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. We suggest that it is possible for a patient with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II to have an uneventful pregnancy if she has neither hypertension nor renal insufficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Interaction of steroids with adrenal cytochrome P-450 (P-450(17)alpha,lyase) in liposome membranes.

Purified cytochrome P-450(17)alpha,lyase from guinea-pig adrenal microsomes, which catalyzes progesterone 17 alpha-hydroxylation and sequentially C17-C20 bond cleavage of the 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, was successfully incorporated into liposomal membranes composed of only phosphatidylcholine or of a phospholipid mixture of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine at a molar ratio of 5:3:1. Although the purified P-450(17)alpha,lyase was readily converted into P-420 in the detergent-solubilized system without substrates, the P-450 embedded in the liposomal membranes was found to be quite stable without the substrates. Using the P-450(17)alpha,lyase-proteoliposomes, the interaction of steroids with P-450(17)alpha,lyase was studied for progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione in the liposomal system by optical difference spectroscopy and by equilibrium dialysis. The partition coefficients of steroids between the aqueous phase and the liposomal membranes were determined by the equilibrium dialysis. They were about 1.4-1.6-times higher in phosphatidylcholine liposomes than in the liposomes of the lipid mixture. The dissociation constants of the P-450-steroid complexes were calculated from the apparent dissociation constants using the partition coefficients for the situation where the substrate-binding site faces the lipid phase of the membranes or where it faces the aqueous phase. The dissociation constant in the former case was not affected by the lipid composition. These results suggest that P-450(17)alpha,lyase might interact only with the substrates in the lipid phase of the liposomal membranes.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1988

Differences in basal and postexercise osteocalcin levels in athletic and nonathletic humans.

The levels of serum osteocalcin, in addition to other parameters, were monitored in athletic (N = 9) and nonathletic (N = 10) university male students before, immediately after, and 60 min after 30 min of exercise on a running ergometer and at a constant workload of approximately 50% of their maximum capacity; there was adequate replenishment of drinking water. In both groups, the increase in serum parathyroid hormone levels observed immediately after exercise correlated well with a decrease in ionized calcium as well as the total calcium, and also with an increase in serum phosphorus, whereas the concentration of serum albumin remained stable. The response of serum osteocalcin differed between the two groups, in that (1) the concentration before exercise was significantly higher in athletic than in nonathletic students (P less than 0.001), and (2) the maximum level was evident in the former group 60 min after exercise, whereas it was present in the latter group immediately after exercise. We speculate that athletic subjects have a higher turnover of bone status compared with nonathletic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Extramedullary plasmacytoma forming a mass in the epidural space of the spinal cord: report of a case].

Plasmacytoma often forms an intramedullary mass in the vertebrae with absorption of trabecula and cortex of the bone. However, occasionally, it forms a mass in the extramedullary space of the vertebrae. The authors report such a rare case with plasmacytoma which formed a mass in the thoracic epidural space without evidence of involvement of the adjacent vertebra. On May 22, 1985, a 80-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with chief complaints of gait disturbance and hypesthesia below the umbilical level. Difficulty of walking developed approximately four months prior to admission with gradual aggravation and hypesthesia added thereafter. Neurological examinations at admission showed paraparesis with positive Babinski's and Chaddock's reflexes, hypesthesia and disturbances of vibration and position senses below the 9th thoracic nerve level. Myelography and CT scan using metrizamide indicated a presence of epidural mass at the 8th to 9th thoracic vertebrae. There was no abnormal bony change in the spine on plain X-ray and CT scan. On May 30, 1985, total removal of epidural tumor was performed by removing the laminae from the 7th to 10th vertebrae. Histological examinations including immunological stainings showed a plasmacytoma which produced monoclonal immunoglobulin of IgG-lambda type. Radiation therapy was not carried out. The serum protein fraction, immunoglobulin, immunoelectrophoresis, Bence-Jones protein and CSF immunoglobulin examined after operation, supported a histological diagnosis of plasmacytoma. Also, slight proliferation of plasma cells was noted in the bone marrow and peripheral blood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Immunohistochemical localization of glomerular basement membrane antigens in various renal diseases.

The immunofluorescent localization of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antigens was examined in 52 specimens from normal kidneys and in various renal diseases using antisera to human GBM (HGBM), IV type collagen (IV Col) and P3 antigen, a rat nephritogen. Anti-HGBM serum normally stained the GBM and the mesangium in a restrictive pattern, anti-IV Col serum stained the GBM and the mesangium in a wider pattern and anti-P3 serum stained only the GBM. In mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, including IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis, the widened mesangial areas were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera. In membranous nephropathy, the punched-out lesions of thickened GBM were demonstrated with the three antisera in moderate cases and a double linear distribution with fine granulation with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera were revealed in one severe case. In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, the expanded mesangium and thickened capillary walls were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-IV Col sera, while the outer line of glomerular capillary walls was only positive with anti-P3 serum. In crescentic glomerulonephritis, the collapsed glomerular tufts were stained normally with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera and weakly with anti-IV Col serum. In diabetic nephropathy, anti-HGBM serum stained the GBM in a double linear distribution without reacting with the expanded mesangium; anti-IV Col serum stained the mesangium and the GBM in a less clear double linear fashion while anti-P3 serum stained the GBM as single line. Thin membrane disease and Alport's syndrome had normal reactivity with all antisera. However, in one case of Alport's syndrome anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera stained the GBM in a focal and segmental pattern, while normal staining with anti-IV Col serum was found. In lesions with adhesions and crescents the staining was positive for HGBM and IV Col and negative for P3; obsolescent glomeruli were stained with anti-HGBM and anti-P3 sera, and had diminished staining with anti-IV Col serum. The identification of the various structural glomerular antigens is useful in the classification of certain types of glomerular diseases. Further insight into the mechanisms underlying these conditions may be obtained in this way.

Antigens↗
PubMed1986

Glomerulonephritis with focal and segmental distribution of glomerular basement membrane antigen(s).

In this report, the authors describe a case of a 2-year, 11-month-old girl with glomerulonephritis and no family history of renal diseases and deafness. Immunofluorescent studies in the renal biopsy specimens with the use of anti-sera against human glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and P3 antigen (prepared from bovine GBM and inducible of Steblay's type nephritis in rats) demonstrated focal and segmental distribution of the GBM antigen(s). Electron microscopic examination revealed splitting and thinning of the GBM. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that there was no binding of Goodpasture's anti-GBM antibodies to the glomeruli. These findings are similar to those in patients with hereditary nephritis. The immunofluorescent examination of the fixation of the various anti-sera, including anti-types IV and V collagens, laminin, fibronectin, and actomyosin sera on the GBM, revealed normal reactivity. The abnormalities observed in this case may be a part of the spectrum of primary GBM defects.

Antigens↗
PubMed1986

[Carcinoid of the papilla of Vater-somatostatinoma--a case report].

A 46-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of liver dysfunction. She had been suffering from right hypochondralgia for two months. On admission, Laboratory data indicated extrahepatic cholestasis. Both X-ray and endoscopic examinations confirm a submucosal tumor of the papilla of Vater, and surgical diagnosis was performed. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as carcinoid, and a further immunohistochemical study by the PAP method using antisomatostatin serum indicated somatostatinoma. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells were found to contain numerous intracellular granules, which looked like D cells in the pancreatic islet. Somatostatinoma in the intestinal tract has been reported in only 13 cases, in only one of which was it located in the papilla of Vater. That means that, this is the second case so far.

Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
PubMed1986

[The development of a convenient enzyme-immunoassay method to detect human serum ferritin].

We have developed an enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) method which is easily and conveniently handled to detect human serum ferritin instead of using the radioisotopes. Rabbit anti human liver ferritin antiserum was adsorbed to a 96 well microplate. Then, sera from patients were put into each well following the addition of peroxidase-labelled rabbit anti human liver ferritin antiserum. Therefore, this is composed of so-called "sandwich" method. One of the beneficial characteristics in this method is to be able to examine many samples at once and easily. Based on this principle, this is clinically useful for screening the abnormal level of serum ferritin from various patients.

Ferritins↗