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Biomedical subjects

A Morikawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Morikawa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Ultrasonographic assessment of intragastric volume in neonates: factors affecting the relationship between intragastric volume and antral cross-sectional area.

Measuring antral cross-sectional area by ultrasonography can be an ideal way to evaluate intragastric milk volume in infants. Technical details, however, remain to be established before its clinical application. We investigated the effects of posture and ultrasonographic plane on the correlation between milk volume and antral cross-sectional area. After gastric aspiration through a nasogastric tube, healthy newborns were fed 0, 10, 20, and 40 ml of milk cumulatively, and antral cross-sectional area was measured in either upright, sitting, or right lateral position. To determine the best sonographic plane, subjects were put in the right lateral position and antral cross-sectional area was measured in the plane of the aorta and either the superior mesenteric artery, the superior mesenteric vein, the midline of the abdominal surface, 1 cm right of midline, or 2 cm right of midline. The results showed that antral cross-sectional area reflects intragastric milk volume most accurately, with minimal gas interference when measured in the right lateral position. The area correlates well with milk volume in the plane of the aorta and either the superior mesenteric artery, the superior mesenteric vein, or the midline. Next, we studied the effect of intragastric gas on the antral cross-sectional area in subjects who were given 40 ml of milk followed by an injection of air. More than 20 ml of intragastric gas increases antral cross-sectional area significantly. Ultrasonographic evaluation of intragastric volume requires attention to the above factors.

Abdomen↗

Analysis of fasting antroduodenal manometry in children.

Antroduodenal manometry has been used to determine the pathophysiology associated with signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal motility disorders. The diagnostic value of antroduodenal manomentry has been limited by the paucity of data from normal children. In this study, we compared antroduodenal manometry findings from 95 patients with symptoms suggesting a gastrointestinal motility disorder to 20 control children. Phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC) was less frequent in patients (P < 0.05), especially in those who required total parenteral nutrition (P < 0.001), than in controls. Abnormal migration of phase III and short intervals between phase IIIs were more frequent in patients than in controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). During phase II, persistent low-amplitude contractions and sustained tonic-phasic contraction were found only in parenteral-nutrition-dependent children. Short or prolonged duration of phase III, absence of phase I following phase III, tonic contractions during phase III, low amplitude of phase III contractions in a single recording site and clusters of contractions or prolonged propagating contractions during phase II were not more frequent in patients than in controls. We conclude that there are five manometric features having a clear association with pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders: (1) absence of phase III of the MMC, (2) abnormal migration of phase III, (3) short intervals between phase III episodes, (4) persistent low-amplitude contractions, and (5) sustained tonic-phasic contractions.

Adolescent↗

Nuclear p53 accumulation by small-sized adenocarcinomas of the lung.

In order to evaluate the alterations of nuclear p53 accumulation in early stage adenocarcinomas of the lung, nuclear p53 accumulation by small-sized peripheral adenocarcinomas of the lung was examined immunohistochemically. Peripheral adenocarcinomas of the lung, 2 cm or less in diameter, have been classified into two groups; one showing replacing growth of the pulmonary alveolar structure and the other showing non-replacing growth. The former group has been subdivided into three microscopic subtypes: type A, localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (LBAC); B, LBAC with foci of pulmonary alveolar structural collapse; and C, LBAC with foci of active fibroblastic proliferation. Type C is thought to be advanced carcinoma, which develops progressively from types A and B. Two of 32 (6%) types A and B carcinomas, 37 of 133 (28%) type C carcinomas and 14 of 35 (40%) non-replacement-type adenocarcinomas showed positive nuclear staining for p53. The positive staining frequency was significantly higher for type C than for types A and B (P < 0.05). These results suggest that nuclear p53 accumulation occurs in the transition from the early to advanced stages of replacement-type adenocarcinoma development and it may be a clinically useful indicator of the degree of tumor malignancy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Lipopolysaccharide induces apoptotic cell death of B memory cells and regulates B cell memory in antigen-nonspecific manner.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered into sheep red blood cells (SRBC)-primed mice, and the effect of LPS on SRBC-specific memory cells was investigated. Spleen cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with LPS exhibited much lower in vitro secondary plaque-forming cells (PFC) responses to SRBC than those from untreated SRBC-primed mice. The in vitro anti-SRBC response of the spleen cells to LPS was also reduced. The combination experiments of B cells and T cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with or without LPS demonstrated that the reduction of immune responses to SRBC after administration of LPS was caused by the defect of SRBC-specific B memory cells, but not T memory cells. B cell type rosette-forming cells (RFC) for SRBC markedly decreased after injection of LPS, while PFC as antibody-forming cells did not increase subsequently. Therefore, the reduction of RFC was not due to their differentiation into PFC. The lymphoid follicles in the spleens from mice injected with LPS were stained positively by in situ nick end labeling specific for fragmented DNA. A large percentage of Ig+ spleen cells from SRBC-primed mice which were injected with LPS was also stained positively. The injection of glucocorticoids into SRBC-primed mice induced similar reduction of B memory cells. It was suggested that LPS might induce apoptosis of B memory cells and regulate B cell memory in antigen-nonspecific manner.

Animals↗

Apoptotic cell death in the response of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice to lipopolysaccharide as an experimental endotoxic shock model.

The apoptotic cell death induced in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice by administration of lipopolysaccharide was characterized. Administration of lipopolysaccharide caused apoptotic cell death in livers of D-galactosamine-sensitized mice. Apoptotic cells were also detected in the kidney, thymus, spleen, and lymph node. Severe hepatic apoptosis in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice was reproduced by transfer of the sera from mice injected with D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide. The hepatocyte apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide was completely prevented by an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody but not by an anti-gamma interferon antibody. Administration of recombinant tumor necrosis factor into D-galactosamine-sensitized mice also caused hepatocyte apoptosis. Lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice did not seem to be mediated by Fas antigen. It was suggested that lipopolysaccharide- induced hepatic injury and failure in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice was due to the apoptotic cell death of hepatocytes caused by tumor necrosis factor alpha released in the circulation.

Animals↗

Relationship between the acid-induced cough response and airway responsiveness and obstruction in children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: In children with asthma little is known about the direct effect of the bronchoconstrictor and bronchodilator response on the cough threshold, or the relationship between bronchial responsiveness and the cough threshold. A study was undertaken to determine the effect of histamine-induced bronchoconstriction and salbutamol-induced bronchodilatation on the cough threshold in response to inhaled acetic acid, and to examine the relationship between the acetic acid cough threshold and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine in children with asthma. METHODS: Nineteen children with asthma (16 boys) of mean (SE) age 10.6 (0.6) years were enrolled in the study. On day 1 each underwent a histamine inhalation challenge to determine the provocative concentration causing a fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of more than 20% (PC20) as an index of individual bronchial hyperresponsiveness. On day 2 the acetic acid cough threshold was determined before and just after the inhalation of the PC20 concentration of histamine, and then salbutamol (1 mg/m2) was inhaled to relieve the bronchoconstriction. Ten of the 19 patients (eight boys) of mean age 12.2 (0.7) years also tried acetic acid inhalation challenge just after salbutamol inhalation. RESULTS: There was no relationship between the bronchial responsiveness to histamine and acetic acid cough threshold in these patients. The acetic acid cough threshold after histamine inhalation was similar to that before histamine, although FEV1 decreased after histamine. In the 10 patients who also tried acetic acid inhalation challenge after salbutamol the cough threshold did not change. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that acid-induced cough sensitivity and bronchomotor tone are independently regulated in children with asthma.

Acetates↗

Relation between theophylline and circulating vitamin levels in children with asthma.

We investigated the effect of theophylline administration on circulating vitamin levels in children with asthma. Twenty-three asthmatic children, ranging in age from 7 to 15 with a mean of 10.8 years and including 16 patients who were treated with slow-release theophylline and 7 patients not receiving any type of theophylline preparation, were enrolled in this study. They all were inpatients who had been hospitalized for the control of asthma. Steady-state serum theophylline and vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12 and C levels were evaluated in these patients. Circulating vitamin B1 and B6 levels were depressed in asthmatic children treated with theophylline compared to those not receiving the agent (38.4 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- SEM) vs. 46.4 +/- 3.5 ng/ml and 7.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 11.8 +/- 2.1 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation between theophylline and circulating levels of vitamin B6 was demonstrated in the subjects of this study (rs = -0.657, p < 0.001). In contrast, no relationship was noted between theophylline and circulating vitamin B1 levels. Theophylline did not affect circulating vitamin A, B2, B12 or C levels. We conclude that theophylline induces depression of circulating vitamin B1 and B6 levels in asthmatic children, although a dose-dependent interaction between theophylline and vitamin B1 would be unlikely.

Adolescent↗

Effect of 10% ethanol and sofalcone on prostaglandin E2 content, mucus gel thickness, and experimental ulcers in the stomach of developing rats.

We studied the effects of a mild irritant, 10% ethanol, and sofalcone on the gastric mucosal defense mechanisms in newborn rats, comparing the effects to those seen in adult rats. The results indicated (1) that both mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) content and mucus gel layer thickness increased with age, (2) that sofalcone, but not 10% ethanol, increased mucosal PGE2 content and mucus gel thickness in 1- and 8-week-old rats, (3) that both sofalcone and 10% ethanol decreased mucosal damage induced by 50 or 75% ethanol in both age groups, and (4) that 10% ethanol, but not sofalcone, decreased ethanol-induced mucosal damage in rats pretreated with indomethacin. We concluded that 10% ethanol and sofalcone increase gastric mucosal defence mechanisms in newborn rats as in older rats.

Aging↗

Small adenocarcinoma of the lung. Histologic characteristics and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Although there are many reported prognostic indicators for pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of early stage adenocarcinoma have not been evaluated fully, except for several studies of nonmucinous and sclerosing bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. METHOD: Two hundred thirty-six surgically resected small peripheral adenocarcinomas measuring 2 cm or less in greatest dimension were reviewed using a simple histologic classification of six types based on tumor growth patterns. RESULTS: Type A (localized bronchioloalveolar carcinoma [LBAC]) (n = 14) revealed replacement growth of alveolar-lining epithelial cells with a relatively thin stroma. In type B (LBAC with foci of structural collapse of alveoli) (n = 14), fibrotic foci due to alveolar collapse were observed in tumors of LBAC. Type C (LBAC with foci of active fibroblastic proliferation) (n = 141) was the largest group in this study, and foci of active fibroblastic proliferation were evident. Type D (poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma), type E (tubular adenocarcinoma) and type F (papillary adenocarcinoma with a compressive growth pattern) (n = 61) showed compressive and expanding growth. Types A and B showed no lymph node metastasis and the most favorable prognosis (100% 5-year survival) of the six types. CONCLUSION: Histologic types A and B are thought to be in situ peripheral adenocarcinoma, whereas type C appears to be an advanced stage of types A and B. Conversely, types D, E, and F are small advanced adenocarcinomas with a less favorable prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

C9 deficiency in a patient with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.

The case of a 10-year-old girl with congenital C9 deficiency and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) is presented. Although her clinical symptoms mimicked those of Henoch-Schönlein purpura, histological examination of a renal biopsy specimen revealed the features commonly described in PSGN.

Child↗

Delayed gastric emptying in a neonate, associated with a partial defect in the gastric smooth muscle.

A girl born after 36 weeks' gestation had emesis 15 hours after birth. She required total parenteral nutrition (TPN) because of persistent gastric retention. When milk was given, the volume of gastric aspirate 3 hours after feeding often was greater than the volume given. Domperidon and erythromycin were ineffective. Upper gastrointestinal series showed slow gastric emptying but no abnormalities in the stomach. No stenosis or obstruction below pylorus was found. Endoscopy showed normal gastric mucosa. Manometry showed normal antroduodenal motility patterns. Transpyloric feeding, which started at age 73 days, was successful and enabled cessation of the TPN. Laparotomy at 119 days of age showed partial absence of the muscle and serosal layer in the anterior wall of the gastric body (1 x 4 cm). The mucosal layer was intact and partly adhered to the peritoneum and the left lobe of the liver. The defect was surgically corrected by plicating the place. The postoperative course was excellent, and oral feeding was fully established within 2 weeks. Although the cause of the partial muscle defect in the case is unclear, this case suggests that this rare condition can cause severe chronic gastric retention.

Female↗

Rapid gastric emptying and pathological changes of vagus nerve in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster.

To estimate autonomic neuropathy in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster, which is an established strain for the non-obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus model, gastric emptying and morphometric analysis of the vagus nerve were studied in 12-month-old spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters (duration of diabetes was 9 months). Gastric emptying was determined by the phenol red method. Vagus was obtained from just above the diaphragm. Morphometric analysis of myelinated fibers was performed light-microscopically using semi-thin sections and unmyelinated fibers were studied electron-microscopically using ultra-thin sections. Gastric emptying of spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster was significantly increased compared with control (86.6 +/- 1.9 vs. 51.2 +/- 3.4, P < 0.01). Myelinated fibers of the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster were not different from control animals, while the size of unmyelinated fibers in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster was significantly decreased. These data suggest that pathological changes in unmyelinated fibers, which consist mainly of afferent fibers, might play a role in gastric motor dysfunction in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster.

Animals↗

Acute cerebellar ataxia with abnormal MRI lesions after varicella vaccination.

A 2-year-old boy, with the primary difficulties of nausea and vomiting, developed a staggering gait and dysarthria 10 days after varicella vaccination. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multiple areas of high signal intensity in the white matter of the cerebellum, predominantly in the parieto-occipital white matter and both globus pallidi. He did not present any signs of myelitis or encephalitis and thus his cerebellar dysfunction was diagnosed as acute cerebellar ataxia, which is, generally speaking, not an etiologic entity but a clinical syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging may reveal a variety of abnormalities of the central nervous system in acute cerebellar ataxia.

Acute Disease↗

Relationship between ultrasonically nebulized distilled water-induced bronchoconstriction and acetic acid-induced cough in asthmatic children.

BACKGROUND: Although wheezing and cough are the most common complaints in asthmatic persons, the mechanisms of hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstriction and cough are nevertheless still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the common mechanisms between them, we studied the relationship between ultrasonically nebulized distilled water (UNDW) inhalation challenge and acetic acid (AA) inhalation challenge. In addition, we evaluated the effect of inhaled furosemide on both provocation tests by means of a placebo-controlled study. METHOD: In study 1 the UNDW, AA, and histamine inhalation challenges were performed in 40 asthmatic children (26 boys, aged from 7 to 16 years; mean +/- SD, 11.2 +/- 2.0 years). In study 2, 12 of the study 1 subjects (9 boys, 11.3 +/- 2.4 years) were subjected to each challenge test after inhalation of furosemide (10 mg/body square meters), or placebo (0.9% saline solution) on separate days. RESULTS: There was a good correlation between the provocative dose causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second in the UNDW inhalation challenge (UNDW-PD20) and threshold dose causing cough in the AA inhalation challenge (R = 0.527; p < 0.001). There was no relationship either between UNDW-PD20 and the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in the histamine inhalation challenge (histamine-PC20)(R = 0.384; p > 0.1), or between histamine-PC20 and the cough threshold (R = 0.308; p > 0.05). In study 2 neither bronchoconstriction nor bronchodilation after inhalation of furosemide was observed. Inhaled furosemide exerted a protective effect on UNDW-PD20 and cough threshold of the AA inhalation challenge (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), but did not attenuate histamine-PC20 (p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that a common mechanism may cause hyperresponsiveness against both UNDW-induced bronchoconstriction and AA-induced cough in asthmatic children.

Acetates↗

Postnatal changes in size and actomyosin content of rabbit gastric myocytes.

Maximal tension generated by gastric muscle is three to four times greater in weanlings than in newborn rabbits. To determine if this functional maturation is accompanied by structural changes, we compared length-tension relationships, myocyte number and size, and actomyosin content in muscle from the gastric body of newborn (1 day) and weanling (12 weeks) rabbits. Passive tension at optimal length (Lo) was six times greater in circular smooth muscle strips from weanling rabbits than from newborn rabbits. Active tension at Lo in weanling rabbits was three times greater than in newborn rabbits. For morphometry, muscle cross-sections stretched to Lo in the circular axis were photographed with electron microscopy (5300x). Cell number/unit area was counted in circular muscle layers from newborns and weanlings. Cross-sectional area of each cell was measured by computerized planimetry. There were 2.5 times more cells per unit area in newborn than in weanling tissue, P < 0.001. However, the mean cell area in newborns (5.4 +/- 4.6 microns2) was less than that in weanlings (13.5 +/- 11.7 microns2). Consequently, the muscle cells occupied similar total areas in newborns and weanlings. We measured actin and myosin heavy chain in full-thickness muscle homogenates using SDS gel electrophoresis and densitometric scanning. Actin and myosin concentrations were lower in newborns (9.6 +/- 1.3 micrograms g-1 wet weight and 5.6 +/- 0.7 micrograms g-1 wet wt, respectively) than in weanlings (17.7 +/- 3.0 micrograms g-1 wet wt and 8.2 +/- 1.6 micrograms g-1 wet wt respectively), each P < 0.01. The proportion of myosin heavy chain isozymes did not change with age. We conclude that there are postnatal increases in cell size and the quantity of actin and myosin in rabbit gastric muscle. The increase in quantity of contractile protein may be in part responsible for age-dependent increases in maximal tension.

Actomyosin↗

A novel point mutation (R243Q) in exon 7 of the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor gene in a family with resistance to thyroid hormone.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is characterized by variable tissue hyporesponsiveness to thyroid hormones. Recently, a large number of different point mutations have been identified in the c-erbA beta thyroid hormone receptor (TR beta) in subjects with RTH. We describe a Japanese family with RTH with a novel point mutation in exon 7 of the TR beta gene. A single nucleotide substitution, guanine for adenine, was identified at the second position of codon 243 located in the hinge domain between the ligand binding and DNA binding domains in one of the two alleles of the proband and his mother, resulting in the substitution of the normal arginine (CGG) with a glutamine (CAG). Except for one family, point mutations so far described in RTH are clustered at exons 8-10 of the TR beta gene. This report presents a novel mutation in the characteristic portion in exon 7 of the TR beta.

Amino Acid Sequence↗