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Biomedical subjects

K Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to K Morimoto.

839 records · Page 47Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Asymptomatic normotensive primary aldosteronism. Case report.

We report a case of primary aldosteronism in a 30-year-old woman without hypertension or any other characteristic symptoms. The condition was first suspected by hypokalemia (2.6 mEq/liter), which was incidentally found by routine checkup. There was evidence of suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA) and elevated plasma aldosterone levels. However, the blood pressure never reached a hypertensive level, and the circulating blood volume was within a normal range. A functioning right adrenal tumor was diagnosed by adrenal scintigraphy, computerized x-ray tomography, and adrenal venography. Adrenal venous catheterization suggested an aldosteronoma, which was confirmed by lateralized hypersecretion of aldosterone. After removal of the benign adenoma, the biochemical abnormalities were corrected, yet the blood pressure remained much the same. Hypertension is not necessarily a sign of primary aldosteronism.

Adenoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebral ischemia in gerbils: polyribosomal function during progression and recovery.

Cerebral ischemia was produced by clipping the right common carotid artery in Mongolian gerbils. Polyribosomal function in cerebral ischemia during progression and recovery was studied by investigation of morphology (electronmicroscopy), physical property (size distribution profiles) and biochemical property (polypeptide synthesis). Polyribosomes and their function were relatively well preserved during progression of ischemia. The most striking finding was an extensive disaggregation of polyribosomes and suppression of polypeptide synthesis immediately after re-establishment of cerebral circulation. These phenomena occurred not only with irreversible ischemia at 3 h but also with reversible ischemia at 30 min. In the latter, disaggregation of polyribosomes gradually recovered, but no tendency for recovery was observed after an ischemic period of 3 h. The disaggregation and delay in reaggregation of ribosomes after re-establishment of cerebral circulation may be a significant factor in the irreversibility of cerebral ischemia. The observed deterioration of cellular function during the recovery process may have an important implication not only for medical management of stroke but also for surgical recirculation during acute stroke.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Secretory IgA in saliva and academic stress.

Several reports have proposed that the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in saliva is an indicator of psychological stress. With this in mind, we decided to examine it in 10 second year medical student volunteers at Kawasaki Medical School course between May 4 and July 13, 2000 and discussed the relationship between S-IbA and the stress from academic examinations. Saliva was collected three times (on rising, at forenoon, and at bedtime) every Thursday. During this period, sporadic academic examinations were held twice and term end examination occurred during the last two weeks. Results showed the concentration of S-IgA significantly higher at the on rising time-point than at the other two time-points. There was also a tendency for the S-IgA level in saliva to be higher on the day before academic examinations and during them and lower on the days between these examinations. In addition, daily variations in the S-IgA concentration sometimes seemed to be disturbed by other academic stress. Therefore it may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship of atopy, smoking, and sensitization to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride.

We investigated the association of smoking, atopy and helper T (Th) cytokines with sensitization to methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) in occupationally exposed subjects. A population of 147 workers from two condenser plants using epoxy resin with MTHPA underwent a questionnaire survey and serologic investigation. Total and MTHPA-specific IgE levels were measured by the Pharmacia CAP system, and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and interferon-gamma (IFN-g) by enzyme immunoassay. The Pharmacia CAP-Phadiatop test, which detects serum IgE specific to most common aeroallergens, was also used. Ninety-six (65%) of the currently exposed workers had positive MTHPA-specific IgE. A significant difference was found in the frequency of positive specific IgE between atopic and non-atopic subjects (P<0.01), but not between smokers and non-smokers. As for smoking, the frequency of positive specific IgE was significantly (P<0.005) higher in smokers than that in non-smokers in non-atopic subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis also confirmed significant contribution of atopy and smoking to the development of specific IgE (odds ration=3.2 and 10.5, respectively), suggesting that atopic subjects who became sensitized to P<0.01 may become sensitized to common aeroallergens. On the other hand, none of the Th cytokines contributed to the elevation of specific IgE levels. These results suggest that atopic subjects and non-atopic smokers are at increased rist of sensitization by P<0.01. However, to evaluate conclusively the effect of atopy on sensitization, further prospective studies are necessary.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Combined transcatheter arterial embolization and regional chemotherapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the breast. A preliminary investigation.

Seventeen patients with carcinoma of the breast received a combination of transcatheter arterial embolization and regional chemotherapy before surgery. A gelatin powder mixed with an anticancer agent and blood clotting factors (own technique) was selectively injected into the internal mammary artery, the lateral thoracic artery, and the thoracodorsal artery. Marked regression of both primary tumor and metastatic regional lymph nodes was observed. The potential of this method as presurgical treatment is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of rabies virus variants involved in human rabies: implications for postexposure prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: Rabies virus variants associated with silver-haired bats (SHBRV) are responsible for most recent human rabies cases in the United States, which are not associated with a history of exposure. We compared their genotype and phenotype with those of dog rabies virus (DRV) variants, the classic cause of rabies in humans, to determine whether differences in these strains might have ramifications for therapeutic intervention, particularly vaccination. METHODS: Eleven silver-haired bat and 8 dog rabies virus isolates were characterized by sequencing the glycoprotein gene, by assessing their ability to replicate in neuronal versus nonneuronal cultures at optimal and suboptimal temperatures, by assessing their pathogenicity in mice, and by determining the resistance of these viruses to therapeutic immunization with commercial vaccines. RESULTS: SHBRV isolates were less genetically diverse, less neuronal cell specific, more temperature sensitive, but as pathogenic, on average, as DRV isolates. Immune protection was equivalent for SHBRV and DRV strains of similar pathogenicity. CONCLUSIONS: SHBRV strains have unique characteristics that may explain their exceptional association with human rabies but have little bearing on their lethality in mice. The pathogenicity of a particular virus, rather than its antigenic makeup, determines the outcome of immunization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of medium-chain fatty acid salts on penetration of a hydrophilic compound and a macromolecular compound across rabbit corneas.

The effects of sodium salts of medium-chain fatty acids, caprylate and caprate, on the penetration of a hydrophilic compound and a macromolecular compound across rabbit corneas in vitro were examined. Sodium caprylate (0.5 and 1% 2/v) marginally increased the corneal penetration of 6-carboxyfluorescein, a hydrophilic compound. However, it did not change the corneal penetration of FITC-dextran (mol.wt 4000). Sodium caprate (0.5 and 1% w/v) markedly increased the corneal penetration of these compounds.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of liposomes on permeability of various compounds through rabbit corneas.

The effects of multilamellar liposomes (neutral, negative and positive charge) on the permeability of a hydrophilic compound, a macromolecular compound and a lipophilic compound through the rabbit corneas in vitro were examined. The corneal permeability of liposomal entrapped 6-carboxyfluorescein (CF), a hydrophilic compound, did not change as compared with that of a CF solution in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.4). Those of liposomal entrapped FITC-dextran (mol. wt 4000) and rhodamine B, a macromolecular compound and a lipophilic compound, respectively, decreased as compared with those of FITC-dextran and rhodamine B solutions (pH 7.4). In conclusion, liposomes did not increase the corneal permeabilities of these compounds.

Acetylcysteine↗