Biomedical subjects

A Terao

Publications and source records attributed to A Terao.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Interleukin-1 induces slow-wave sleep at the prostaglandin D2-sensitive sleep-promoting zone in the rat brain.

To determine the site of action of the sleep-promoting effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1), we continuously infused (between 11 P.M. and 5 A.M.) murine recombinant IL-1beta into seven different locations in the ventricular and subarachnoid systems of the brain in freely moving rats. When IL-1 was infused at 10 ng/6 hr into the subarachnoid space underlying the ventral surface of the rostral basal forebrain, which previously was defined as the "prostaglandin (PG) D2-sensitive sleep-promoting zone" (PGD2-SZ), the total amount of slow-wave sleep (SWS) increased by 110.7 min (IL-1 was 208.1 +/- 14.3 min vs control at 97.4 +/- 9.3 min; n = 8; p < 0.01 by paired Student's t test) from the baseline control level obtained under continuous infusion of saline vehicle. The hourly SWS during the infusion period reached the level of daytime SWS, the physiological maximum, whereas paradoxical sleep (PS) was decreased transiently. This site of action for the SWS promotion was dissociated from the site in the third ventricle sensitive to the IL-1-mediated PS suppression, fever, and anorexia. The SWS increase caused by IL-1 infusion into the PGD2-SZ was blocked completely by coadministered diclofenac, a nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. Pretreatment of rats with NS-398 or piroxicam (3 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.), which are said, respectively, to possess high and relative specificity for the COX-2 enzyme, also blocked the SWS-promoting effect of IL-1. We present a hypothesis that IL-1 induces SWS, at least in part, via COX-2-mediated PG production in the PGD2-SZ.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Central IL-1 differentially regulates peripheral IL-6 and TNF synthesis.

Centrally given interleukin (IL)-1 is known to induce a rapid rises in blood IL-6. To extend this and to examine the mechanism by which this occurs, the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of human recombinant IL-1 beta on mRNA expression of IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the spleen and liver were examined in rats. I.c.v. injection of IL-1 produced a rapid rise of the tissue mRNA levels of Il-6 and TNF in both organs, prior to and/or in parallel with an increase in their serum levels. Pretreatment with chlorisondamine, a ganglionic blocking agent, inhibited the Il-6 responses, while it had little influence on the TNF responses. The results suggest that brain IL-1 induces peripheral production of IL-6, but not of TNF, through autonomic nervous system activation.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

An elevation of stem cell factor in patients with hyperthyroid Graves' disease.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antibodies against thyrotropin receptor (TRAb). Stem cell factor (SCF), derived from bone marrow, is known to promote lymphohematopoiesis. To investigate the relation between the alteration in plasma levels of SCF, thyroid hormone status, and TRAb measured by thyrotropin binding inhibition (TBI), 13 untreated, 21 treated, and 4 relapsed hyperthyroid Graves' disease patients, 21 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 6 patients with subacute thyroiditis, and 11 control subjects were examined. In untreated hyperthyroid Graves' disease patients, serum levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine decreased rapidly by methimazole treatment, and TBI decreased progressively, but variably. Simultaneously, the elevated plasma levels of SCF decreased gradually and progressively. The plasma levels of SCF correlated curvilinearly with the serum levels of T4. In 4 patients with relapsed hyperthyroid Graves' disease, TBI was marginally positive in 3 patients and negative in 1, but plasma levels of SCF were elevated significantly in all 4 patients. In patients with subacute thyroiditis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis with or without T4 replacement, plasma levels of SCF did not differ from that of controls. These findings indicate that the elevation of plasma levels of SCF relates to the longstanding thyrotoxic state and that short-term thyrotoxicosis does not significantly affect plasma levels of SCF. It remains to be determined whether the elevation in plasma levels of SCF is induced by excess thyroid hormone, reflecting the hypermetabolic state, or whether the elevation of plasma levels of SCF contributes to stimulation of lymphocytes producing TRAb.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Intractable hiccups and syncope in multiple sclerosis.

A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who developed intractable hiccups and syncope due to a cervical cord lesion is reported. Previous case reports of intractable hiccups occurring in MS have all been located in the medulla oblongata. Our patient is the first case with the responsible lesion in the cervical cord. The pathophysiological mechanism of the syncopal attacks in this case were thought to be same as that of cough syncope.

Cervical Vertebrae↗

PubMed1998

[Exposure to tobacco smoke in a Japanese urban population. An analysis using biochemical markers of smoking].

An epidemiological study in an urban population was conducted to investigate exposure to tobacco smoke using two biochemical markers of smoking. In 1993 and 1994, expired air carbon monoxide (EACO) concentrations were determined with a small portable CO monitor for 4,619 subjects aged 30 and over, who had been randomly selected from residents of S-city in Osaka Pref, and who had received a health examination for cardiovascular disease at the National Cardiovascular Center. Urinary cotinine (UCOT) concentrations were determined using gas chromatography for 480 subjects, who were nonsmokers, and who had received a health examination during Sep. and Nov. in 1994. They also completed a questionnaire about smoking habits and potential of passive smoking. In this study smoking prevalences were 45% in men and 11% in women according to the questionnaire. Among nonsmokers 55% of men and 46% of women reported some degree of exposure to tobacco smoke. The EACO levels were related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day in a dose-response fashion. The time elapsed since last smoked and the usual depth of inhalation, in addition to the number of cigarettes, had effects to EACO level. The optimal EACO cut-off points selected to differentiate smokers and nonsmokers were between 6 and 7 ppm for men, and 5 and 6 ppm for women with a sensitivity and a specificity of about 90%. The hours spent with tobacco smoke at home, whether there was a smoking spouse or not, and the time elapsed since last inhalation of smoke affected EACO level in nonsmokers. The frequency of going to an amusement place, a bar or a restaurant, and the hours spent with tobacco smoke in a work place had effects on UCOT level in non-smokers. The proper use of biochemical markers for tobacco smoke may be of value in developing more effective strategies for smoking problems control.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Leber's 'plus'.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cerebellar Ataxia↗

PubMed1997

CSF levels of prostaglandins, especially the level of prostaglandin D2, are correlated with increasing propensity towards sleep in rats.

The concentration of PGD2, PGE2, and of PGF2 alpha was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from the cisterna magna of conscious rats (n = 29), which, chronically implanted with a catheter for the CSF sampling, underwent deprivation of daytime sleep. Significant elevation of the CSF level of PGD2 was observed following 2.5-h sleep deprivation (SD), and the elevation became more marked following 5- and 10-h SD, apparently reaching the maximum at 5-h SD (703 +/- 140 pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.M.) for baseline vs. 1734 +/- 363 pg/ml for SD, n = 10). The levels of PGE2, and PGF2 alpha also significantly increased following 5- and 10-h SD, but not following 2.5-h SD. It is unlikely that these changes were simply caused by some responses of the animals to stress stimuli, because stress stimuli derived from restraint of the animal at the supine position to a board for 1 h did not produce any acute responses in the CSF levels of prostaglandins (n = 13). In a different group of animals (n = 11) implanted with electrodes for recording electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) in addition to the catheter, the levels of the prostaglandins in CSF were determined for slow-wave sleep (SWS) and wakefulness in the day and for SWS and wakefulness in the night. The highest PGD2 value was obtained at daytime SWS, whereas the lowest was at night wakefulness; furthermore, a significant difference was observed between SWS and wakefulness rather than between day and night. The CSF level of PGE2 also showed a similar tendency. In an additional group of animals (n = 6), not only PGD2 but also PGE2 and PGF2 alpha significantly increased the sleeping time of the animal when applied into the subarachnoid space underlying the ventral surface area of the rostral basal forebrain, the previously defined site of action for the sleep-promoting effect of PGD2. The promotion of sleep by PGE2 applied to the subarachnoid space was an effect completely opposite to the well-established awaking effect of the same prostaglandin demonstrated in the hypothalamic region in a series of previous studies. Based on these results, we conclude that increases in CSF levels of prostaglandins, especially that of PGD2, are correlated in rats with heightened propensity towards sleep and further with the depth of sleep under normal as well as SD conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.

Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) were transiently recorded during the acute phase of cerebral stroke-like episodes in three patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MEM). One of the patients developed stroke-like episodes three times, always accompanied by PLEDs. These discharges were recorded from the hemisphere responsible for the stroke-like episodes or from the more severely affected hemisphere when bilateral hemispheres were affected. Although PLEDs have been rarely reported in MEM, this disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis of cerebral infarction with PLEDs.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Prevalence of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic lesions detected by high-resolution ultrasonography and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors in the general population of a Japanese city: the Suita study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Because extracranial carotid atherosclerotic lesions have been considered rare, no reports have been published on the prevalence and distribution of these lesions in a general Japanese population. However, recent changes in lifestyle are thought to have caused an increase in these lesions. The aim of this study was to use high-resolution ultrasonography to examine the prevalence of asymptomatic extracranial carotid artery lesions and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors in an urban Japanese population. METHODS: The subjects were 814 men and 880 women aged 50 to 79 years randomly sampled from the residents of Suita, a city located in the second largest urban area of Japan. Asymptomatic carotid lesions were detected and evaluated by a single physician with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: We found significant sex differences in the prevalence of atherosclerotic lesions in the extracranial carotid artery; 4.4% of all the subjects, 7.9% of the men, and 1.3% of the women had atherosclerosis accompanied by stenosis of >50%. A strong association between these lesions and the results of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was found in both sexes. Multiple regression analysis of carotid atherosclerosis showed significant relationships with age, systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, pack-years of smoking, total serum cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol in men (P<.05) and significant relationships with age, systolic blood pressure, pack-years of smoking, and total serum cholesterol in women (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that cardiovascular risk factors were strongly related to carotid atherosclerosis and that the proportion of severe carotid atherosclerosis with >50% stenosis was not low and was almost equal to that reported in developed western countries.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

[Prevalence of glucose intolerance, diabetes mellitus, and high serum insulin levels in a Japanese urban population].

An epidemiological study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia in an urban population. Twelve thousand two hundred people aged 30 to 79 were randomly selected from residents of S-city in Osaka Prefecture and were urged to attend a cardiovascular examination at the National Cardiovascular Center. In 1992 and 1993, among 5,284 people who received the examination, 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed and plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations were determined for 2,147 subjects, who participated in the morning course of examination and who were fasting. The prevalence of diabetes and hyperinsulinemia (fasting serum insulin level > or = 15 microU/ml) was higher in older than in the younger generation, and was higher in men than in women. The prevalence of diabetes in those aged 40 and over in S-city was 7.3% in men and 5.6% in women, 17.2% of men and 10.7% of women had impaired glucose tolerance, and 7.5% of men and 5.2% of women had hyperinsulinemia. A comparison of prevalences of diabetes was performed between 4 populations, one being our urban population and others being 3 rural populations where population-based surveys had been accomplished with OGTT but without a screening as ours was with regard to detecting diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in our urban population did not appear to be higher than in the other 3 rural populations. From a questionnaire survey of responders and non-responders to OGTT, it was considered that the degree of selection bias in this study was small, if any.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Effects of health examination and follow-up educational programs on awareness and modification of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a Japanese urban population].

This study in a Japanese urban population evaluated the effects of health examinations and follow-up educational programs on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and smoking) and the level of awareness regarding these factors (e.g. having had their blood pressure and serum total cholesterol whether they checked, and knowing whether their level is high or normal, and whether they can state their own level). In both 1990 and 1991, 4,000 adults aged 30 to 79 were randomly selected from residents of S-city in Osaka Prefecture, and urged to attend the baseline health examination for cardiovascular disease at the National Cardiovascular Center. From among 1,879 persons who had received health examinations and follow-up educational programs in 1990, 600 subjects were selected at random and invited to participate in the follow-up examination in the next year. Four hundred forty five persons received the follow-up examination, and in addition, 1,791 persons attended newly the baseline health examination in 1991. Two sets of analyses were conducted. First, the 1990 baseline examination data and the 1991 follow-up examination data of 445 subjects were compared for change of awareness and risk factors. Second, the 1991 follow-up examination data and the 1991 baseline examination data were compared for difference of risk factors level. Initial awareness concerning serum total cholesterol was lower than that concerning blood pressure among people who had attended the 1990 baseline examination. After the health examination and the educational program, awareness for both blood pressure and serum total cholesterol increased significantly. Significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol were shown. But, no significant changes were observed for diastolic blood pressure and smoking rate. The means of systolic blood pressure and serum total cholesterol among subjects who received the follow-up examination were significantly lower than subjects who newly participated in the baseline examinations in 1991. Participation in health examinations and follow-up health educational programs can result in positive changes in awareness of risk factors and reduction of these factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[A case of adult meningitis with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at the onset].

Here we report a case of pneumococcal meningitis with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss at the onset. The patient was a 60-year-old man who a few days before visiting our hospital experienced common cold-like symptoms, and then he suddenly developed bilateral hearing loss. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the day of admission revealed pleocytosis and his CSF culture demonstrated pneumococci. Otorhinolaryngological examinations disclosed bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss due to cochlear impairment. Many cases of bacterial meningitis concomitant with hearing loss have been reported, but a case of meningitis starting with sudden hearing loss is rare.

Hearing Loss, Sensorineural↗

PubMed1997

Why does the single neuron activity change from trial to trial during sensory-motor task?

Single neuron activities from cortical areas of a monkey were recorded while performing a sensory-motor task (a choice reaction time task). Quantitative trial-by-trial analysis revealed that the timing of peak activity exhibited large variation from trial to trial, compared to the variation in the behavioral reaction time of the task. Therefore, we developed a multi-unit dynamic neural network model to investigate the effects of structure of neural connections on the variation of the timing of peak activity. Computer simulation of the model showed that, even though the units are connected in a cascade fashion, a wide variation exists in the timing of peak activity of neurons because of parallel organization of neural network within each unit.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Power evaluation of various modified Bonferroni procedures by a Monte Carlo study.

Various modified Bonferroni procedures (MBPs) have been proposed in order to improve the power of the classical Bonferroni procedure (CBP). In the present paper, powers of these MBPs are investigated by a Monte Carlo study for pairwise comparisons. It is shown that they can be remarkably more powerful than the CBP and Tukey's procedure with respect to all-pairs power, whereas all these procedures with respect to any-pair power are almost the same. Therefore, we recommend the use of MBPs rather than the CBP or Tukey's procedure. Shaffer's procedure sometimes shows higher power than other MBPs and would be the best choice for pairwise comparisons.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed1996

Benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy (BAFME): an autosomal dominant form not linked to the dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) gene.

The genetic differences between two types of dominant inherited myoclonus epilepsy, dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) and benign adult familial myoclonus epilepsy (BAFME), have been reported. A gene with a CAG repeat expansion responsible for DRPLA has been isolated. We have examined CAG repeat expansion in the DRPLA gene in five BAFME families, and the abnormal CAG expansion was not observed in the affected subjects. Linkage analysis using DNA polymorphisms in the DRPLA gene and the genes for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunits, GABAR beta 1, GABAR beta 3, and GABAR alpha 6, showed that these genes were not responsible for BAFME.

Atrophy↗

PubMed1996

["Vertigo" the fact analysis of clinical practice by ENT physicians of Chiba Prefecture by "send-out" questionnaires].

Despite the fact that vertigo has been one of the most frequent complaints encountered in daily practice in an ENT outpatient clinic, it is believed to be the most unwelcome subject for ENT physicians. The reasons are diverse; e.g., the understanding of vertigo is still a difficult task for most physicians and requires time-consuming multiple studies. However, answers to those questions, although speculated a posteriori, are yet to be substantiated. Therefore, we have analyzed the data obtained from multiple questionnaires that were addressed to ENT physicians practicing in Chiba Prefecture in November of 1993. However, those who work in publicly run hospitals were excluded from the study. The study included otorhinolaryngologists who were members of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology of Japan. We received filled questionnaire forms from 76 of 155 members (49%). The age ranged from 33 to 82 years (mean 55.8 years, 68 men and 8 women). From these questionnaires, it became apparent that physicians are not necessarily reluctant to see patients with vertigo. Instead, most ENT physicians appeared to be actively paying attention to this symptom and to be making efforts to approach its diagnosis and treatment. Although we are not certain if the data obtained here represent the majority of ENT physicians, the positive attitudes toward the patients with vertigo/dizziness would certainly encourage those of us who are interested in this particular symptom category.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Serum insulin distribution and the relationship between environmental factors and serum insulin levels in a Japanese urban population].

An epidemiological study was conducted to investigate the distribution of serum insulin and the relation of environmental factors to serum insulin concentrations in an urban population. In 1992 and 1993, 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed and serum insulin concentrations determined for 2,147 subjects aged 30 to 79, randomly selected from residents of S-city in Osaka Prefecture. The subjects had received a health examination for cardiovascular disease at the National Cardiovascular Center. Median values of area under the insulin curve (AUIC), which is an index of insulin resistance, were similar for men and women, but were higher for older than younger women. Sex and age specific estimated upper limits of AUIC were set at the 95 percentile level of AUIC for the subjects without a history of stroke or myocardial infarction, and who did not have diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Prevalence of hyperinsulinemia in the subjects was about 10 to 16%. The sex and age specific proportion of obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, and hypertension was higher for hyperinsulinemic than normoinsulinemic subjects. Relation of AUIC to obesity, dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and antihypertensive drug use was examined in 2,039 subjects who were diagnosed as non-diabetic by OGTT. Of the environmental factors analysed, body mass index alone correlated independently with AUIC for all sex and age specific classes. For men aged 30 to 59 the waist/hip ratio correlated independently and positively with AUIC. This indicates that control of obesity, especially of upper-body obesity or visceral type obesity, should be considered important for improvement of insulin resistance.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Adult pneumococcal meningitis complicated by cerebral infarction: a case report].

We describe a 36-year-old man with pneumococcal meningitis who suddenly showed a left central type facial palsy and left hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a low intensity area in the posterior limb and genu of the right internal capsule to caudate nucleus in T1-weighted images and a high intensity area in T2-weighted images. We surmised vasculitis as the cause of cerebral infarction, because steroid treatment was effective.

Adult↗