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Biomedical subjects

J Torii

Publications and source records attributed to J Torii.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Analysis of muscle proteins in acute quadriplegic myopathy.

We investigated the changes of muscle proteins in acute quadriplegic myopathy (AQM) using immunohistochemistry and stoichiometry. Cases of AQM were observed in which it was difficult to type muscle fibers with adenosine triphosphatase staining in biopsied muscle. Well-defined typing of these cases was possible by performing immunofluorescent staining using slow and fast skeletal troponin I (TnI) antibodies. By this means, small angular fibers were shown to be fast skeletal muscle, and myosin was absent from these muscle fibers. Actin and tropomyosin were maintained. Muscle protein ratios were determined by stoichiometry following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of AQM myofibril specimens from four subjects. The myosin heavy chain/actin ratio was significantly decreased compared with a normal control group and other neuromuscular diseases. These pathologic findings returned to normal during recovery from AQM. Thus, myosin selectively decreases, whereas actin and regulatory proteins located above it are maintained during AQM.

Actins↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical differentiation of fiber types in human skeletal muscle using monoclonal antibodies to slow and fast isoforms of troponin I subunit.

The cDNA sequence of troponin I (TnI), one of the subunits of the skeletal muscle regulatory protein, differs between slow-twitch muscle and fast-twitch muscle. We prepared monoclonal antibodies to the slow and fast isoforms of human TnI for the purpose of differentiating muscle fiber types in human neuromuscular disorders. Slow TnI antibody was labeled with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate while fast TnI antibody was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate; then these two antibodies were mixed. This mixture was then used to stain biopsied muscle from patients with neuromuscular disorders. It was possible to differentiate muscle fibers into slow, fast and intermediate fibers having various contents of slow and fast TnI. In tissue composed of small muscle fibers, this method facilitated differentiation of types of muscle fibers by allowing staining of only a single section. The usefulness of our technique using slow and fast TnI antibodies is discussed in comparison with ATPase staining. Because our staining method can distinguish slow and fast fiber components, it is useful for clinical application.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1997

[A case of isolated neck extensor myopathy with parkinsonism].

We report an 84-year-old man with marked dropped head from 80 years of age. On neurologic examination, weakness was restricted to the neck extensor muscle, and the range of motility (ROM) of cervical spine was limited. He also had vascular parkinsonism. Needle electromyography indicated myogenic changes localized in the cervical paraspinal and trapezius muscles. CT and MRI of the cervical region demonstrated neck extensor muscle atrophy. Cervical paraspinal muscle biopsy revealed decreased numbers of muscle fibers which were embedded in markedly increased connective tissue. There was neither cellular infiltration nor specific changes. These findings were identical to those seen in isolated neck extensor myopathy recently proposed by Katz et al. (1996). In addition, pathological finding of the biceps muscle of the left arm suggested subclinical general myopathy because of mild fiber-size variability with moth-eaten appearance on NADH-TR straining. Neck extensor muscle weakness and limitation of ROM improved by physical therapy, and gait disturbance also improved simultaneously. To our knowledge, this is the first report isolated neck extensor myopathy in Japanese.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Exercise-induced changes in the expression of surface adhesion molecules on circulating granulocytes and lymphocytes subpopulations.

This study examined the relationship between exercise-induced changes in the concentration of circulating immunocompetent cells and their surface expression of adhesion molecules: L-selectin (CD62L) and three beta 2-integrins [LFA-1(CD11a/CD18), Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), and p150/95(CD11c/CD18)]. Eight young male volunteers exercised on a cycle ergometer for 60 min at 60% maximal oxygen uptake. Peripheral blood samples, collected every 30 min throughout exercise and during the 2-h recovery period, were used for flow-cytometric analysis. The experimental results were compared with control data obtained ever 60 min at corresponding times of the nonexercise day. The exercise regimen induced a granulocytosis and a lymphocytosis, mainly due to an elevation of CD8+ and CD16+ cells. During recovery, a further granulocytosis occurred but accompanied by a lymphopenia. The increased CD8+ cell-count during exercise was characterized by a selective mobilization of the CD62L- and CD11ahigh cells, i.e. primed CD8+ cells. A postexercise suppression of CD4+ cell-count was derived only from CD62L+ cells. The CD11b+ and CD11c+ lymphocytes also increased during exercise, largely attributable to an increase in CD16+ cells which co-expressed CD11b and CD11c molecules. The CD62L surface density of granulocytes increased significantly during recovery. This resulted from a selective influx of CD62Lhigh granulocytes into the circulation. There were no significant changes in per-cell density of the three beta 2-integrins on granulocytes and lymphocytes throughout the experimental period. These results suggest that the cell-surface expression of CD62L (and CD11a) molecules is associated with the differential mobilization of CD8+ cells during exercise, the postexercise suppression of CD4+ cell-counts and the granulocytosis following exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise plus dietary restriction on body composition, resting energy expenditure and aerobic fitness in mildly obese middle-aged women.

This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise plus voluntary food restriction on the body composition, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and aerobic fitness of mildly obese middle-aged women. The subjects were randomly assigned to exercise/diet (n = 17) or control (n = 15) groups. The exercise/diet group participated in an aerobic training programme, 45-60 min.day-1 at 50%-60% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), 3-4 days.week-1, and also adopted a self-regulated energy deficit relative to predicted energy requirements (-1.05 MJ.day-1 to -1.14 MJ.day-1). After the regimen had been followed for 12 weeks, the body mass of the subjects had decreased by an average of 4.5 kg, due mainly to fat loss, with little change of fat free mass (mff). The absolute RMR did not change, but the experimental group showed significant increases in the RMR per unit of body mass (10%) and the RMR per unit of mff (4%). The increase in RMR/mff was not correlated with any increase in VO2max/mff. The resting heat production per unit of essential body mass increased by an average of 21%, but the resting heat production rate per unit of fat tissue mass remained unchanged. We concluded that aerobic exercise enhances the effect of moderate dietary restriction by augmenting the metabolic activity of lean tissue.

Body Composition↗
PubMed1993

Relationships between health status and working conditions and personalities among VDT workers.

A total of 486 visual display terminal (VDT) workers were surveyed on their health status, working conditions, type A state, and depression state through questionnaires. They were also divided into three groups by self-assessment: technocentered (TC), technoanxious (TA), and neither (N). The weekly working hours and daily VDT operating hours of the type A group were longer than those of non-type A group. Type A subjects had more symptoms than non-type A subjects. The mean weekly working hours of depressive group was 61.3 hr, much longer than that of the others. The TC subjects worked daily with the VDT for longer hours than the other subjects. The TA subjects felt most dissatisfied with their computer training (TC, 47.4%; N, 64.5%; TA, 91.7%). Awkward VDT operators were more often in the TA group (36.1%) than in the others (TC, 3.8%; N, 10.5%). The TA subjects had a higher previous history of duodenal ulcer than the others (TA, 13.9%; N, 4.6%; TC, 3.8%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Salivary cortisol for monitoring circadian rhythm variation in adrenal activity during shiftwork.

To examine the validity of salivary cortisol for monitoring circadian rhythm variation in adrenal activity during shiftwork, saliva and blood samples were collected at 4-h intervals in experimental short-term shifts, i.e., day (work 0830-1600 h; sleep 0030-0800 h), evening (work 1630-2400 h; sleep 0430-1200 h), and night (work 0030-0800 h; sleep 1230-2000 h) shifts over 2 days. Cortisol levels, determined by radioimmunoassay, and the circadian profiles of saliva and sera were compared. The salivary cortisol showed relatively low levels, the 2-day mean value being 3.1%-3.3% that of serum total cortisol through all shifts. Significant differences in the serum to saliva cortisol ratios were noted among shifts and subjects. When expressed as a relative percentage of a 2-day mean value, however, salivary cortisol paralleled the modified circadian profiles of serum total cortisol of the evening and night shifts, with no significant time lag and no difference in magnitude. The cosinor analysis supported this finding. Thus, salivary cortisol appears to be an excellent measure for monitoring circadian rhythm variation in adrenal activity in healthy individuals during shiftwork.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1993

Triathlon competition induced a transient immunosuppressive change in the peripheral blood of athletes.

This study was designed to determine whether or not physical and psychological stress of triathlon competition causes an immunosuppressive change in the peripheral blood of athletes, if it does occur, how long does it take to recover. Fifteen healthy men, aged 19 to 40, volunteered for this study. Peripheral blood was drawn four times at approximately the same time on the following days; one day before the race, immediately after, one day and eight days after, and served for determining circulating leucocyte and lymphocyte subset counts, in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response and natural killer activity. The results showed that triathlon competition caused considerable changes in the cell counts of peripheral blood leucocyte and lymphocyte subsets, and a transient reduction in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response and natural killer activity, all of which returned to pre-race levels in one to eight days after the race.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[A case of X-linked recessive bulbospinal muscular atrophy with demyelinating neuropathy and hypertrophy of the calves].

We report a 53-year-old man of X-BSMA with neuropathy. The patient developed slowly progressive muscular weakness and wasting over a 2-year period with an accompanying numbness in the finger tip. He can run normally but not so fast. When he was aged 52-year old, difficulty in running progressed. General physical examination revealed nothing particular except for hypertension and gynecomastia. He showed muscular weakness and atrophy in the tongue, shoulder girdle, and upper and lower limbs. Calf muscle hypertrophies were prominent on both sides. The tendon reflexes were absent. Slight sensory impairment for vibration and pin-prick was present distally in all limbs. Autonomic nerve dysfunction was not observed. Hyperglycemia, elevated HbA1c and elevated serum CK (1,242 IU/l) were seen. The computed tomographic analyses on skeletal muscle showed hypertrophic changes in the calf muscles with a few fatty infiltrations. Electromyography showed a systemic neurogenic pattern. Motor nerve conduction velocities were slightly delayed in the lower limits. Sensory nerve action potentials were not elicited in all nerves tested. Sural nerve biopsy disclosed marked reduction of myelinated fibres for that of large diameter with thin myelin. Teased fibre studies showed a definite increase in the incidence of fibres with segmental demyelination and remyelination. In electron microscopic examination, typical or atypical onion bulb formation was observed on individual fibres. Axonal changes were minimum. We believe that segmental demyelination observed in this patient is not secondary to axonal damage. We, also, investigated AR gene abnormality by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in this patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Demyelinating Diseases↗
PubMed1992

Effect of time of day on adaptive response to a 4-week aerobic exercise program.

The circadian effects of an aerobic training program were studied in 3 groups of men who exercised at different times of day. Twelve healthy sedentary men were assigned to morning (9:00-9:30), afternoon (15:00-15:30) or evening (20:00-20:30) exercise groups. Each group performed a 30-minute 60% VO2max cycle ergometer exercise 4 days per week over a 4-week period. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated and adaptive responses of heart rate and blood lactate levels to the training program were measured. After 4 weeks, the afternoon group showed a significant increase in estimated VO2max. A significant decrease in heart rate and blood lactate responses occurred in the afternoon and morning groups and the afternoon and evening groups, respectively. These results suggest that aerobic training is most effective in the afternoon.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1989

[Changes in temperature and humidity at different layers inside clothing during rest, exercise, and recovery].

This paper presents the results of experiments in which we measured humidity and temperature changes that took place in different layers inside and on clothing. The experiments were conducted during rest, exercise, and recovery. During each experiment, subjects wore one of three kinds of outerwear made of three different materials, respectively. These materials were nylon taffeta (N), nylon taffeta-Goretex-nylon tricot laminated fabric (G), and polyvinylchloride-coated plain cotton fabric (V). The subjects wore an undershirt and a T-shirt under the outerwear. The humidity and the temperature were measured in the following parts of each subjects' back: (1) the layer between the subject's skin and the undershirt (first layer), (2) the layer between the undershirt and the T-shirt (second layer), (3) the layer between the T-shirt and the outerwear (third layer), and (4) the surface of the outerwear (fourth layer). We also measured the sensation of comfort, the skin temperature, the oral temperature and the degree of sweating of the subjects. The experiments were conducted in a climatic chamber under conditions of 20.7 +/- 0.4 degrees C, 61.2 +/- 3.6% RH and 2.5 +/- 0.5 cm/sec. The results we obtained were as follows: 1) While the subjects kept still, little change of humidity was observed with time in all the four layers. When the subjects were in motion, humidity increased as they started sweating. After the exercise ended, the humidity reached its maximum and then gradually decreased. 2) When subjects kept still, there was no difference in humidity in all the four layers of the outerwear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Clinical, electrophysiological and histological analysis of adult onset chronic sensory neuropathy].

We reported clinical, electrophysiological and pathological findings in 10 patients with acquired, slowly progressive sensory neuropathy. Group I patients which had delayed sensory nerve conduction velocities (SNCV) or no response of SCV in electrophysiological studies were observed to have marked deep sensory disturbances. On the other hand, Group II who had abnormalities of both SNCV and motor nerve conduction velocities electrophysiologically has tendency to show superficial sensory disturbances more dominantly than that of deep sensation. Histological findings of biopsied sural nerve in Group I were mainly composed of diminution of large myelinated fibers, in Group II the diminution of large myelinated fibers with decreased unmyelinated fibers were observed. However, there were no significant difference between Group I and Group II in the quantitative analysis of myelinated fibers. There were no definite tendency under the basic disease or background factors of these 10 patients. Only 3 of these 10 patients had immunological abnormalities such as RA factors or antinuclear antibodies.

Adult↗