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Biomedical subjects

A Kanazawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Kanazawa.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[A 78-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis, right hemiparesis, and renal failure].

We report a 78-year old woman with 30 years history of rheumatoid arthritis and nephrotic syndrome, who developed right hemiparesis and renal failure recently. The patient was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis in 1965, and had been treated with gold -sol, steroid hormone, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intermittently. Later on her clinical course was complicated by nephrotic syndrome, however, her renal function was well compensated. Otherwise, she was apparently doing well until October of 1988 when she had an onset of anomic aphasia; she was 73-year-old at that time. She was admitted to our hospital; a cranial CT scan at that time revealed a low density area in the left temporal region, and she was diagnosed as suffered from an atherothrombotic infarction involving the left middle cerebral artery territory. She recovered soon and was discharged for out patient follow up with ticlopidine 100 mg/day. She was doing well until December 15, 1990, when she had an acute onset of nausea, vomiting, and speech disturbance; she was admitted to our hospital for the second time. On admission, she was alert, but she had motor aphasia, right hemiparesis, and dysarthria. A cranial CT scan revealed a low density area in the left temporal region extending into adjacent frontal and parietal areas including the angular gyrus; in addition, leukoaraiosis, cortical atrophy, and ventricular dilatation were noted (Fig. 1A, B). She was treated supportively, and she showed improvement in her aphasia, however, moderate weakness remained in her right upper and lower extremities. She was discharged for out patient follow up. She was doing well until May 21, 1993, when she developed difficulty in swallowing and speech. She became unable to take foods orally and she was admitted again on May 31. On admission, she was afebrile and BP was 120/80 mmHg. General physical examination was unremarkable except for pitting edema and multiple contracture of her joints. On neurologic examination, she was alert but appeared to have aphasia and dementia; she could utter only a few simple words, and was able to understand only simple questions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged↗

[Autopsy results of an elderly case of Parkinson's disease and aorto-esophageal fistula who died of a massive hematemesis during prolonged bed rest].

An 81-year-old female patient with an 8-year history of Parkinson's disease was hospitalized because of aspiration pneumonia. The clinical course of her pneumonia was prolonged because of dysphagia with a short period of remission, and she required a long period of bed rest. She received supportive nutrition via a nasogastric tube and many peroral medications that consisted of 3 anti-Parkinsonian drugs and 5 anti-bacterial or anti-tussive agents. Six months after admission, she vomited fresh blood through the nasogastric tube, then went into hypovolemic shock. Hemodynamic stability was temporarily achieved by blood transfusion. Gastroduodenal endoscopic examination could not reveal the exact bleeding site because of massive blood clots. Five days later, the patient died of a massive hematemesis. Autopsy revealed 2 chronic longitudinal ulcers, each 1.7 x 0.4 cm in size, in the upper portion of the esophagus. One of them had developed a fistula to the aorta. Neither esophageal carcinoma nor a foreign body was detected around the fistula. Atherosclerosis of the aorta was mild and the perforation channel was covered with the esophageal epithelium. The fistula was assumed to be a product of local esophageal injury due to drug retention.

Aged↗

Effects of endogenous and exogenous n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on microsomal synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid in vitro.

Effects of endogenous and exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on microsomal synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in vitro were studied using rat livers. Liver microsomes prepared from three groups of rats which had been fed n-3/n-6 ratios of 0.01, 0.39, and 2.70, respectively, for 1 month, were incubated with [1-14C]EPA at 37 degrees C for 30 min. There were no significant differences between the formations of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) or DHA in the groups. Liver microsomes from rats fed a diet with an n-3/n-6 ratio of 2.70 for 3 weeks were then incubated with [1-14C]EPA in the presence of unlabeled DHA or arachidonic acid (AA). The additional DHA did not have any effect. However, a significant inhibition of DHA synthesis was observed by addition of AA (EPA/AA = 5:2). These results suggest that the microsomal biosynthesis of DHA in rat liver is not susceptible to feedback inhibition.

Animals↗

Evidence of docosahexaenoic acid synthesis and predominant existence of arachidonic acid in livers of fetal and neonatal crab-eating monkeys: comparisons with adults.

The microsomal synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from radiolabeled eicosapentaenoic acid was tested in vitro using the livers of crab-eating monkeys. The test animals included 1 fetus (embryonic day 120), 2 neonates (full-term, embryonic day 165), and 2 adults. DHA was formed equally in the liver microsomes of each animal. Neonatal livers were found to contain higher percent of arachidonic acid than adult livers in both phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. DHA contents remained constant in the liver phospholipids of all test animals.

Aging↗

Effects of dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on liver and erythrocyte lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control rats were placed in one of two dietary groups and fed diets with a P/S ratio of 2.2-2.3 for 4 weeks. The n-3/n-6 ratios in the dietary groups were 0.01 (SAF group) and 2.92 (PER group). A decrease in the 20:4n-6 level, and an increase in the 18:2n-6 level were observed in the erythrocyte lipids of diabetic rats of both dietary groups, as compared with the levels in control rats. The cholesterol/lipid-P ratio in erythrocyte lipids was significantly higher in diabetic rats than in control rats in both dietary groups, while the ratio in livers was significantly lower in diabetic rats. In liver phospholipids, the differences between the polyunsaturated fatty acid contents of control and diabetic rats in the SAF group, were almost identical to those in erythrocyte lipids. However, in the PER group, a small increase in the 20:4n-6 level, besides an obvious increase in the 18:2n-6 level, was observed in diabetic rats, and n-3 fatty acid levels, especially that of 20:5n-3, were lower significantly in diabetic rats than in control rats. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in diabetic rats were higher than those in control rats in both dietary groups. The two dietary groups showed significant different triglyceride levels, but similar cholesterol levels. It is suggested that the physiological effect of 18:3n-3 is impaired in diabetes in the same manner as that of 18:2n-6 is.

Animals↗

[A 62-year-old man with multiple cranial nerve palsies on the right side and a pelvic mass].

We report a 62-year-old man with a pelvic mass, who developed multiple cranial nerve palsies on the right side. He was well until the summer of 1977 when he developed a numb sensation in the sacral region. In the next year, a huge tumor was found in the sacral area in another hospital. Most of the tumor was resected at that time. Post-operative course was uneventful. In July 1988, there was an onset of weakness in his legs, gait disturbance, and dysuria. Myelography at the above hospital revealed a complete block at the seventh thoracic level. He was treated by laminectomy and post-operative radiation. In June 1990, he developed a neuralgic pan in his right leg. Two months later, he noted diplopia, deafness in his right ear, and swallowing difficulty. He was admitted to our hospital for further work up on January 14th of 1991. On admission, he was afebrile. General physical examination revealed a 4 cm had mass in his right anterior chest attaching the rib. Gynecomastia was noted bilaterally. Liver was felt by 5 cms under the right hypochondrium. The edge of the liver was firm. On neurologic examination he was an alert and mentally sound man. His higher cerebral functions were intact. In the cranial nerves, complete palsy of the abducens nerve, mild nerve deafness, paresis of the soft palate, atrophy and weakness of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezium muscles, all on the right side, deviation of the tongue to the right, slurred speech, and dysphagia were observed. The neck was supple. He was able to walk with a support. Mild weakness was present in his right lower extremity. Both legs were spastic. No ataxia or involuntary movements were noted. Deep reflexes were symmetric and normally active. No sensory loss was observed. No meningeal signs were present. Pertinent laboratory findings included moderate anemia (Hb 8.8 g/dl), LDH 2,631 U/l, CRP 7.4 mg/dl. The CSF was under an increased pressure (OP 260 mmH2O) containing 2 lymphocytes/ml, 43 mg/dl of protein, and 49 mg/dl of glucose. Radiologic examinations revealed a destructive change in the sacrum, lytic lesions in the seventh thoracic spine and in the clivus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cranial Nerve Diseases↗

[Protective effect of FPF 1070 (cerebrolysin) on delayed neuronal death in the gerbil--detection of hydroxyl radicals with salicylic acid].

Cerebrolysin (FPF1070) is an extract from pig brain obtained after enzymic digestion, containing free amino acids (85%) and low-molecular weight amino acid sequences (15%). We studied FPF 1070 to determine its ability to protect against delayed neuronal death in the gerbil when administered before and after ischemia. Transient forebrain ischemia was produced by occluding both common carotid arteries. Morphological changes in the CA1 sector of the hippocampus were evaluated 4 days after 5 min. occlusion. The formation of hydroxyl radicals in the postischemic (15 min. occlusion) reperfused (2 min.) brain was measured with HPLC using salicylate (SA). SA reacts with hydroxyl radicals and yields 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3- and 2,5-DHBA), which can be detected by HPLC-ECD. Gerbils treated with FPF 1070 revealed significant protection of CA1 neurons when it was applied 2 hrs before the occlusion. In contrast, no clear beneficial effects were observed when FPF 1070 was administered immediately after the recirculation. Concentrations of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA after reperfusion increased significantly compared to the basal levels both in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The 2,5-DHBA contents in the postischemic reperfused brain was significantly reduced when FPF 1070 was administered 2 hr. before the occlusion. The administration of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, prevented ischemia-reperfusion-induced delayed neuronal death, and significantly reduced the 2,5-DHBA content after reperfusion. The results indicated that hydroxyl radicals are produced in the postischemic-reperfused brain and that hydroxyl radical scavenging action of FPF 1070 played an important role in preventing delayed neuronal death.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of a prostaglandin I2 derivative (iloprost) on peripheral neuropathy of diabetic rats.

PGE1 has been found to improve the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. We considered that a PGI2 derivative may also have a similar action and therefore studied its effect in diabetic rats. Iloprost was administered intraperitoneally to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 10 micrograms/kg/day for a month. The changes in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were measured in the tail. One day after the last dose of iloprost, both sciatic nerves were removed from each rat, homogenized, and extracted with 6% TCA. The sorbitol and myo-inositol concentrations were determined by a combination of HPLC and an enzymatic method. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels were determined by RIA, and Na+, K+ ATPase activity was assessed by the enzyme cycling method of Greene and Lattimer. Iloprost was found to improve the NCV in the diabetic rats. The sorbitol content was not affected by iloprost, but the myo-inositol content was higher in the iloprost group than in the untreated group, although the difference was not statistically significant. The Na+, K+ ATPase activity and cAMP content were significantly higher in the iloprost group than in the untreated group. These findings suggest the possibility that the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) system has an important influence on improvement in Na+, K+ ATPase activity.

Animals↗

Coexistence of the Ekbom syndrome and lilliputian hallucination.

A patient who showed Ekbom's syndrome, i.e. delusions of parasitosis, and also lilliputian hallucination is described. She was diagnosed as senile dementia based on the diagnostic criteria of DSM-III-R and cerebral imaging techniques. When she was 74 years, she felt a mowworm-like wriggle in her stomach and their travels all over her body. When she was 78 years, she saw dressed-up dwarfs dance or march on her abdomen. Since the case showed simultaneously delusions of parasitosis and lilliputian hallucinations, it cannot be denied that she has undetected lesions in the brainstem. In this case, the delusions and hallucinations seem to have occurred as a part of psychopathological signs of senile dementia.

Aged↗

Possible essentially of docosahexaenoic acid in Japanese monkey neonates: occurrence in colostrum and low biosynthetic capacity in neonate brains.

The importance of mother's milk as a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Japanese monkey neonates was investigated. The DHA content in monkey colostrum total lipids was 2.2%, similar to or slightly higher than in humans. A comparison of the biosynthetic capacity of brain microsomes from monkeys of different age (up to 10 years) showed that chain elongation/desaturation of linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in neonates was significantly less pronounced than in adults. In particular, the formation of DHA, which is the product of delta 4 desaturase, was negligible. These results suggest that milk is an important source of DHA in Japanese monkey neonates.

Aging↗

Linkage analysis of the nuclear homologues of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs in rice.

A genetical study on the nucleotide sequences of the nuclear DNAs which share homology with rice mitochondrial plasmid-like DNAs, B1, B2, B3 and B4 was carried out. Restriction fragments of the nuclear DNAs hybridized with these plasmid-like DNAs showed polymorphisms in their length between Indica and Japonica rice cultivars. The hybridized signals found specifically in Indica or Japonica cultivars segregated in the F2 population derived from a cross between these two subspecies. The observed ratio of the nuclear homologues in the F2 population demonstrated that they were transmitted according to the Mendelian inheritance. The co-segregation of homologues was examined and the linkage was detected between the B1-nuclear homologue of Japonica and the B4-nuclear homologue of Indica, and also between the nuclear homologues of B2 and B3 of Indica. The linkage between the B1-nuclear homologue of Japonica and the B4-nuclear homologue of Indica was conserved in the different rice cultivars.

Blotting, Southern↗

[A case of brainstem vascular malformation with isolated trochlear nerve palsy as the initial symptom].

We report a 46-year-old, non-hypertensive man who suddenly developed isolated right trochlear nerve palsy. His diplopia was most prominent in the left lower gaze, and partially alleviated by head tilt to the left or by anteflexion of the neck. His CT scans showed a small high density area consistent with a hemorrhage in the lateral side of the right mesencephalic tectum. His MRI (T2-weighted images) showed a lesion consisting of mixed high- and iso-intensity areas with linear low intensity areas. The margin of the lesion was irregular and nodular. Cerebral angiography (prolonged injection) showed small feeding arteries (or capillaries) in the late arterial phase and dilated draining veins in the venous phase. No tumor stain, early draining veins, or capillary brushes were present. We thought he had an angioma (vascular malformation). AVM seemed unlikely. Review of the literature revealed that trochlear nerve palsy caused by a mesencephalic angioma is extremely rare. MRI and cerebral angiography (prolonged injection) seemed useful for the diagnosis of angiomas (Vascular malformations).

Brain Neoplasms↗

Flow loaded canine carotid artery. II. Ultrastructural changes in the subendothelial layer.

To study the subendothelial layer of the flow loaded arteries, blood flow changes were produced by constructing an arterio-venous shunt between the common carotid artery and the external jugular vein using eleven adult beagle dogs. One week after operation, the subendothelial layer of the flow loaded canine carotid arteries was observed with a transmission electron microscope. In the arteries loaded by highly elevated blood flow, the subendothelial layer showed thick subendothelial space (300 to 500 nm) with multilayered basement membrane. The microfilaments and microfibrils increased significantly. There were no collagen fibers. Spindle to cylindrical elastic fibers appeared in the luminal margin of the internal elastic lamina. On the other hand, in the control arteries, the subendothelial layer was thin (about 50 nm) with scanty basement-membrane-like material. There were a few microfilaments and microfibrils, but no collagen fibers. The luminal margin of the internal elastic lamina was smooth. It is suggested that these are the wall shear stress dependent subendothelial changes, which would be partly due to the increased protein synthesis by the endothelial cells stimulated by the wall shear stress and be partly due to the wall shear dependent mechanical stress transmitted from the endothelial surface.

Animals↗

Flow loaded canine carotid artery. I. A morphometric study of microfilament bundles in endothelial cells.

To estimate microfilament bundles in the endothelial cells of flow loaded arteries quantitatively, blood flow change was produced in the common carotid arteries of eleven female beagle dogs (1-2 years of age, 8-10 kg) employing the arteriovenous shunt method between the common carotid artery and external jugular vein. After 1 week, the amount of microfilament bundles was measured with a point counting method on transmission electron microscopical photographs. In the arteries loaded by highly elevated blood flow, the average thickness of microfilament bundles increased over 0.1 mu m (non-operative control: 0.01-0.02 mu m) and the average longitudinal cut area of a microfilament bundle grew over 0.7 mu m2 (non-operative control: 0.2 mu m2). The number of bundles increased over 1.0 piece (non-operative control: 0.2 pieces) per unit length (mu m) in transverse section and increased over 0.5 pieces (non-operative control: 0.2 pieces) in longitudinal section. The average thickness of the bundles significantly correlated to the blood flow increase ratio (the ratio of the blood flow rate of the final measurement to that before anastomosis). We consider that the microfilament bundles are the structure developed to combat the wall shear stress induced by the elevated blood flow.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗