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Biomedical subjects

K Shimazaki

Publications and source records attributed to K Shimazaki.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Short stature due to growth hormone deficiency associated with Cushing's disease and ulcerative colitis.

We report a rare case of Cushing's disease associated with ulcerative colitis in a patient primarily treated with growth hormone due to short stature. At the age of fifteen years, the patient had a short stature due to GHD and was treated with the extracted GH for a short period. At the age of twenty-one years, his body weight gradually increased and, based on the results of several tests, he was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and GHD was observed in our patient. The excess secretion attenuation of pituitary hormones with reduced secretion periods as well as the relation between ulcerative colitis and elevated plasma cortisol concentrations is briefly discussed in this paper.

Adult↗

Outbreak of acute glomerulonephritis in children: observed association with the T1 subtype of group A streptococcal infection in northern Kyushu, Japan.

Group A streptococcal infection is associated with the occurrence of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) and rheumatic fever (RF). A surveillance study in the Saga area, in northern Kyushu, Japan, showed a small variation in the reported number of group A streptococcal infections in the period 1988-94. However, of the AGN cases reported in this period, more than half were observed in 1992. In order to examine whether some change had occurred in the serotype distribution of Streptococcus pyogenes during the period, patients in the Saga area diagnosed as having group A streptococcal infection and patients with AGN or RF were analyzed. Serological T-typing of S. pyogenes was carried out for patients with group A streptococcal infections, and the association between the occurrence of AGN or RF and the distribution of each different T subtype was analyzed. M-typing of S. pyogenes was also carried out and the correlation between T and M types was examined. From 1988 to 1994, the annual number of patients with group A streptococcal infections in the Saga area showed a small variation, range 65-100 patients/year. Of the 42 patients with AGN and three with RF observed in this period, 27 with AGN (64%) and one with RF (33.3%) were detected in 1992. Only the T1 subtype increased in 1992; the other T subtypes showed little variation in incidence. The number of patients with the T1 subtype was significantly correlated with the occurrence of AGN by regression analysis (P < 0.01). Of the 170 subjects tested for both T and M subtypes, 44 of the 45 T1-typed subjects had the M1 protein. Our epidemiological study suggested that the T1 subtype of streptococcal infection was associated with an outbreak of AGN in 1992 in the Saga area.

Acute Disease↗

Monoclonal antibody against bovine Lactoferricin and its epitopic site.

Bovine lactoferricin (LFcin B) is a strong antimicrobial peptide derived from N-lobe of lactoferrin. To study the immunochemical and structural properties of LFcin B, monoclonal antibody (mAb) was prepared and the amino acid sequence concerning with the binding to mAb has been identified. Mice injected with LFcin B showed no production of antibody specific to this peptide, whereas those with LFcin B-KLH conjugate produced anti-LFcin B antibodies. None of the mAb reacted with bovine lactoferrin C-lobe, human lactoferrin or LFcin H. By the reactivity of the mAb against the peptides synthesized on cellulose membranes using SPOTs and against chemically modified derivatives of LFcin B, the antigenic determinant of LFcin B was identified to be the sequence of "QWR".

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Growth inhibitory effects of bovine lactoferrin to Toxoplasma gondii parasites in murine somatic cells.

Lactoferrin (LF) is known to have broad spectrum antimicrobial properties. In regards to its defense mechanism against parasitic infection, it has shown phagocytic activity in the destruction of amastigotes, an intracellular parasitic form of Trypanosoma cruzi in macrophages. The effect of bovine lactoferrin on the intracellular growth Toxoplasma gondii parasites was examined in murine macrophage and embryonal cells. Co-cultures of host cells with the parasites were supplemented with either lactoferrin, apo-lactoferrin, holo-lactoferrin or transferrin in the culture media for varying periods. The growth activity of intracellular parasites in the host cells was determined by the measurement of selective incorporation of 3H-uracil. Supplement of lactoferrin had no effect on the penetration activity of the parasites, while development of intracellular parasites was inhibited linearly in concentration of lactoferrin. Supplement of apo-lactoferrin and holo-lactoferrin, but not transferrin showed similar effects. These suggest that lactoferrin induces the inhibitory effects on the development of intracellular parasites. Pretreatment of lactoferrin to the macrophages, however, did not show any inhibitory effects. Whereas, mouse embryonal cells preincubated with lactoferrin suppressed the intracellular growth. Thus, the action of lactoferrin to macrophages would be different from that of mouse embryonal cells.

Animals↗

A case of myocarditis associated with IDDM.

We report a case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) complicated by acute myocarditis, which was confirmed by cardiac biopsy. A 26-year-old man was hospitalized with severe DKA. On admission, nonspecific ST-T change was noted on the electrocardiogram (ECG). The patient's levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were slightly elevated, but he did not complain of chest discomfort or symptoms of heart disease. On the first day after admission, ST-T elevation was noted on ECG during treatment of DKA. By cardiac angiography and cardiac biopsy, coronary heart disease was ruled out and postmyocarditic change was histologically confirmed. An episode of upper respiratory viral infection before the onset of acute diabetes suggested that the patient suffered from viral-induced myocarditis and consequent development of IDDM. This possibility was confirmed by the clinical course of ECG change, with elevated CPK and lactate dehydrogenase and a slightly elevated antibody titer for echovirus.

Adult↗

[The use of low dose midazolam for the management of spinal anesthesia].

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of low dose midazolam (MZ) on memories and ease of management of spinal anesthesia. MZ was administered to 103 patients (ASA 1-2), of whom 50 patients were premedicated with atropine sulfate 0.5mg and pethidine hydrochloride (group P), with 53 patients receiving no premedication (group nP). A double blind randomized trial was conducted with the dose of MZ (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 mg.kg-1), and MZ was administered i.v. to patients just prior to spinal puncture. The short-term and long-term memories were impaired after administration of MZ in both groups. But the recovery from impairment of memories was more rapid in the short-term memory than in the long-term memory, suggesting that MZ impairs mainly the acquisition of memories. A dose-dependent decrease in SpO2 was observed in group P. We conclude that MZ is a useful drug to relieve anxiety of patients during surgery, but it accompanies the risk of respiratory depression.

Adolescent↗

Cloning of the cDNA encoding neural adhesion molecule F3 from bovine brain.

We cloned a bovine cDNA encoding the neural adhesion molecule F3 and analyzed its nucleotide sequence. The coding region consisted of 3054 bp encoding 1018 amino acid (aa) residues. The M(r) calculated from the deduced aa sequence was 113,383. Bovine F3 had 93, 94 and 77% aa identity with the mouse, human and chicken homologs, respectively. Bovine F3, similar to those of chicken and human, was devoid of two aa residues (Ile-Thr) in the sixth immunoglobulin type C2-like domain, as compared with the mouse homolog. Parts of bovine F3 protein were overproduced in Escherichia coli. The antibodies raised against the recombinant proteins in rabbits reacted specifically with F3. F3 protein was detected in cerebellum, cerebrum and spinal cord in Western blot analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmental expression of the neural adhesion molecule F3 in the rat brain.

We cloned a cDNA encoding rat F3 and analyzed the nucleotide sequences. The results have shown that rat F3 is comprised of 1021 amino acid residues. It shared 99% and 76% identities with mouse and chicken homologs, respectively, at the amino acid sequence level. During postnatal development of the rat brain, cells expressing F3 mRNA appeared in the cortex, hippocampus, superior and inferior colliculi, anterior olfactory nucleus, olfactory bulb and cerebellum, whereas little was observed at postnatal day 1 (P1). Extraordinarily high expression of F3 mRNA was observed in the cerebral cortical neurons of layer 5 at P7. The number of cells with high expression of F3 mRNA expanded to the entire region of the cerebral cortex at P14. The whole cerebrum displayed expression at P90 in which the cortex still showed the highest expression level, although the overall signals were weak in comparison with those at P14. In the hippocampal formation, F3-expressing granule cells of the dentate gyrus were restricted to the outer aspect, then expanded to the inner aspect during development. Finally the granule cells in the entire region of the dentate gyrus transcribed F3 mRNA. We discuss the significance of the expression pattern of F3 mRNA during development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An electrophysiological and immunohistochemical study of the hippocampus of the reeler mutant mouse.

The pyramidal cell layer in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus of the reeler mouse is split into two laminae, the deep and the superficial. We examined the electrophysiological properties of double-layered CA1 pyramidal neurons in the reeler mouse hippocampal slice in vitro. We also studied cytoarchitectonic abnormalities in the hippocampus of this mutant by immunohistochemical methods using anti-parvalbumin and anti-F3/F11-protein antibodies. Laminar analysis of the postsynaptic field potentials in the CA1 subfield of the reeler hippocampus revealed broad negative field potentials with double negative peaks. In the CA1 subfield of the reeler mouse, tetanic stimulation of Schaffer collateral/commissural fibers induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the majority of the deep layers (near alveus) examined, but very rarely in the superficial layer (near the molecular layer). Immunohistochemical study showed that parvalbumin-immunopositive neurons were densely concentrated in the hippocampus of the reeler mouse, especially in the stratum radiatum and the stratum lacunosum-molecular, in which only a few parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons were seen in the normal mouse. Abnormal trajectories of axons arising from malpositioned pyramidal cells in the CA1 subfield of the reeler mouse were identified by F3/F11 immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, F3/F11-immunoreactive Schaffer collaterals were misdirected in the CA1 subfield of this mutant. The present electrophysiological and immunohistochemical data suggest that impairment of LTP in the superficial layer of the CA1 pyramidal neurons appears to be mainly due to strong inhibitory inputs to this malpositioned population of neurons.

Animals↗

Changes in IP3 3-kinase immunoreactivity following transient ischaemia in gerbil hippocampus.

The distribution of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase (IP3 3-kinase) in the gerbil hippocampus was studied before and after transient ischaemia, by immunohistochemistry and immunoblot with monoclonal antibody to IP3 3-kinase. In control gerbils, intense IP3 3-kinase immunoreactivity was localized in the dendritic field of CA1 pyramidal neurones. However, after ischaemia for 5 min, the immunoreactivity decreased gradually, until after 24 h there was very little IP3 3-kinase detectable. Immunoblot study showed a similar decrease of IP3 3-kinase in ischaemic hippocampus. Infliction of 2 min ischaemia prior to the 5 min of ischaemia is known to have a protective effect on the 5 min ischaemia. With the addition of the 2 min ischaemia there was no decrease in IP3 3-kinase following the 5 min ischaemia. The results suggest that IP3 3-kinase might play a critical role in inducing the delayed neuronal death following ischaemia.

Animals↗

Increase in bcl-2 oncoprotein and the tolerance to ischemia-induced neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampus.

We studied the expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein in the gerbil hippocampus after transient ischemia. Immunostaining using monoclonal antibody raised against bcl-2 oncoprotein revealed intense immunoreactivity in the CA1 area following 2 min of ischemia, which induced tolerance to subsequent ischemia and prevented delayed neuronal death (DND). Following ischemia for 5 min, however, bcl-2 oncoprotein immunoreactivity was decreased, reflecting neuronal death in the CA1 area. However, pretreatment with ischemia of 2 min that prevented DND due to subsequent ischemia for 5 min, showed increased immunoreactivity. On the other hand, following 1 min of ischemia which failed to induce tolerance, no increase in the bcl-2 oncoprotein was observed. The results evidenced that expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein in the CA1 area following brief ischemia is closely related to the acquisition of resistance to DND.

Animals↗

[Intracranial foreign body granuloma caused by fine cotton fibers: a case report].

Reported here is a rare case of intracranial foreign body granuloma caused by fine cotton fibers originating from the cotton sheet, which was used in the previous operation. The patient was a 54-year-old woman who presented with headache and right hemiparesis. CT scan demonstrated a large enhanced tumor in the left temporal lobe. During the operation, the tumor bled easily and was hard to remove. The brain surface was covered with oxidized cellulose (Oxycell) after the tumor was subtotally removed. Cotton sheets (Surgical Patty) were also used during the operation. The microfibrillar collagen hemostat (Avitene) was not applied. The histological diagnosis was astrocytoma. Radio-chemotherapy was given. CT and MRI on the 40th day after the operation, showed a large tumor in the left temporal lobe, which led to suspicions of tumor recurrence. The second operation disclosed a mass which was harder in consistence than the previous one. The histological diagnosis was foreign body granuloma, which contained a lot of fine cotton fibers. Oxycell was not found in it. The cotton-sheet is well documented as a cause of granuloma in the literature, but it is seldom mentioned that the foreign body granuloma is caused by cotton fibers, scattered in the operative fields. This case report suggests the possibility of cotton-fiber granuloma and our simple experiment indicated that a lot of cotton fiber might be scattered in the operative fields, if dry cotton sheets are used. These results stress that washed cotton sheets should be applied to avoid the possibility of the development of cotton-fiber foreign body granuloma.

Adult↗

[Cerebral cysticercosis treated with praziquantel--a case report].

We report a patient with cerebral cysticercosis treated with praziquantel. The patient, a 30-year-old man, was admitted to our hospital with a 12-year-history of generalized convulsion. MRI of the brain showed multiple cysts and the largest one in the right frontal lobe measured 3 cm in diameter. The intensity of cyst contents was same as that of the CSF on T1- and T2-weighted images. X-Ray of extremities and blood examinations showed no abnormal findings. The immunological testing for cysticercosis was negative in the serum. An operation was performed for the largest cyst in the right frontal lobe. The cyst was pathologically confirmed as cysticercosis. He was treated with praziquantel 50 mg/kg body weight in 3 divided doses per day with steroid cover for 7 days. The same therapy was repeated at an interval of 14 days. The patient was suffering from headache and scintilating scotoma only for a few days during the therapy. MRI revealed reduction in the size of the cysts in the right occipital lobe but no change in the other cysts. He was given praziquantel 600 mg per day for two months. As a result, the cysts in the right occipital lobe disappeared and the other cysts diminished on MRI.

Adult↗

[A juvenile onset case of moyamoya disease with intraventricular hemorrhage during pregnancy: case report].

We report a primipara with intracranial bleeding during pregnancy. The patient, a 23-year-old female, had history of cerebral ischemic attack during childhood and was diagnosed as having moyamoya disease at the age of ten. She did not undergo reconstructive vascular surgery but had not suffered from the cerebral ischemic attack in the last ten years. She suddenly lost consciousness in the eighth month of pregnancy and was admitted to our hospital. The brain CT scan revealed right paraventricular hemorrhage with ventricular perforation. After the newborn baby was delivered by cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, an emergency ventricle drainage was performed. The angiography demonstrated the occlusion of the internal carotid arteries at C1 portion with evidence of a moderate basal moyamoya network on both sides. Marked dilatation of the posterior lateral choroidal arteries was also seen on both sides, but no aneurysms were found. We supposed that the source of intracranial hemorrhage was a breakdown of the dilated perforating moyamoya vessels that formed the basal collateral network. We also supposed that the time of onset of intracranial hemorrhage might be related to the hemodynamic and hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy. Appropriate counterplans to pregnancy should be made by females with moyamoya disease, because pregnancy may be risky for them.

Adult↗