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Biomedical subjects

M Fukunaga

Publications and source records attributed to M Fukunaga.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

The number of large ribosomal RNA genes in Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira biflexa.

We determined the number of large ribosomal RNA genes in five strains of Leptospira by hybridization of 15 restriction endonuclease digests of genomic DNA to the [32P]-labeled fragment of 23s rRNA gene. Almost all the restriction gels gave two radioactive bands. The conclusion from these results is that there are at least two rRNA genes in these leptospiral strains. Furthermore, the hybridization patterns of L. icterohaemorrhagiae strains Ictero No. I and RGA are almost identical. The number of rRNA genes and taxonomic relationships of these leptospires were discussed.

Blotting, Southern↗

Unique organization of Leptospira interrogans rRNA genes.

We cloned Sau3AI fragments containing the rRNA genes for Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola strain Moulton in the BamHI site of lambda EMBL3 bacteriophage DNA. Physical maps of the fragments were constructed, and the locations of the rRNA genes were determined by Southern blot hybridization and S1 protection. Each fragment of the 23S or the 16S rRNA gene contained at least one copy of the 23S or the 16S sequence. Genomic hybridization showed that there were two genes for the 23S rRNA and the 16S rRNA but only one gene for the 5S rRNA on the chromosome of L. interrogans. The results revealed the important fact that each rRNA gene is located far from the other rRNA genes. Our findings, accordingly, also suggest that these rRNA genes are expressed independently in this organism.

Blotting, Southern↗

Spontaneous rupture of adrenal pheochromocytoma: a case report.

A case of right adrenal pheochromocytoma was described which presented as an acute abdominal emergency and resulted in shock due to spontaneous rupture into the retroperitoneum. Spontaneous remission of clinical symptoms followed and the tumor was safely resected later. Scintigraphic imaging using 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine clearly demonstrated the tumor when endocrinological examinations were within normal ranges.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

Regional cerebral blood flow in the persistent vegetative state.

Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) in eight patients in a persistent vegetative state was measured and compared with that in five healthy volunteers. The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1 (locked-in syndrome) consisted of a single patient, Group 2 (typical vegetative state) of five patients, and Group 3 (prolonged coma) of two patients. CBF was measured early after onset by single photon emission computed tomography with 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodo-amphetamine and/or 99mTc-hexamethyl-propyleneamine oxime. The regions of interest (ROIs) were the bilateral frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and cerebellar areas and basal ganglia. The values obtained in these areas were averaged, and the ratio for each ROI [(the value in the ROI/the mean value) x 100] was calculated. "Hyperfrontal distribution" of CBF was found to be rare in both the normal condition and the vegetative state. Higher CBF values were noted in the left than in the right frontal area in four of the five volunteers but in only four of the eight patients. CBF distribution in the frontal lobe was characteristic for each group: Group 1 showed high CBF bilaterally, although the elevation was statistically significant only on the right side, and Group 3 exhibited significantly low values. In Group 2, CBF was variable but, for the most part, within normal limits. Awareness was closely correlated with frontal lobe function and alteration of CBF in the frontal region.

Adult↗

The thallium-201 time activity curve in thyroid cancer: a role for the detection of metastases.

The Tl-201 Cl time activity curves were evaluated in 17 patients with histologically proven benign nodules and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland. In the dynamic studies, the uptake at the region of interest was counted every 10 sec for 20 min after the intravenous injection of 2mCi Tl-201 Cl. The curves from frame 21 to 100 were transformed to linear plots for clinical evaluation. Papillary carcinoma could not be differentiated from benign lesions by means of the values of the washout rate. However, the "relative washout rate" in papillary carcinoma was lower than that of benign lesions (P less than 0.05). Although the average values of the "relative extrapolated uptake" in papillary carcinoma appeared to be greater than those in benign lesions, the difference was not statistically significant. The difference in the washout rates between lymph node metastases and local recurrences, and pulmonary metastases of the papillary carcinoma was significant (P less than 0.05).

Adenoma↗

[A case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease followed up by N-isopropyl-[123I]-p-iodoamphetamine and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime SPECT].

N-isopropyl-[123I]-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HM-PAO) SPECT were performed in a 66 yrs-old female patient with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). The decreased accumulation of both radiopharmaceuticals, which localized initially in the focal regions and progressed eventually to the whole brain, were observed in the early stage of CJD, when no abnormal findings were obtained on X-CT. Although the redistribution of 123I-IMP was recognized in the relatively early stage in which the accumulation was significantly decreased, it disappeared with the progression of the disease. The accumulation of both radiopharmaceuticals which decreased remarkably in the early stage of CJD was sustained in low level during the chronic stage. The accumulation ratio of 99mTc-HM-PAO, after second examinations, to that on first SPECT was lower than those of 123I-IMP. It was suggested, as this cause, that the difference of the accumulation mechanism of both agents might be concerned. Thus, it is interested to follow up a patient with CJD by using 123I-IMP and 99mTc-HM-PAO SPECT, and this modality will provide a useful information to clarify the pathogenesis of CJD.

Aged↗

[Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime in patients with ischemic cerebral diseases: comparative study of N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine and 99mTc-DTPA SPECT].

In order to confirm the diagnosis and clarify the pathophysiology in the ischemic lesions in brain, 99mTc-PAO SPECT was performed in 42 patients with ischemic cerebral diseases, and the findings on 99mTc-PAO SPECT were compared with those on 123I-IMP or 99mTc-DTPA SPECT, and on X-CT. Furthermore, count ratio of ischemic lesion to normal contralateral region (I/N) was used for the evaluation of the detectability in the lesions on 99mTc-PAO or 123I-IMP SPECT, and less than 0.95 of I/N ratio was defined as the decreased accumulation. The detectability of ischemic lesion in brain with 99mTc-PAO SPECT was 80%, which was superior to that (60%) of LDA on X-CT. Especially, 99mTc-PAO SPECT was useful in cases which were examined early after the onset of the attack. On the other hand, 123I-IMP SPECT showed the best result (88%) in the detectability, and furthermore I/N ratio on 123I-IMP SPECT was lower than that on 99mTc-PAO SPECT. In the delayed phase on 123I-IMP SPECT the redistribution was observed in 30%, while on 99mTc-PAO SPECT it was done in none of them. The accumulation of 99mTc-DTPA in brain was found in 6 of 14 cases (43%), and 2 cases among them also showed the accumulation of 99mTc-PAO in the ischemic lesion. In such cases the destruction of BBB might be considered as the cause of the accumulation of 99mTc-PAO. Thus, 99mTc-PAO SPECT was thought to be useful method in clinical studies of the ischemic cerebral diseases.

Amphetamines↗

Effect of daily energy expenditure on the creatinine clearance and daily urinary protein excretion of patients with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

In the present study, the relationships among daily energy expenditure, renal function (creatinine clearance, Ccr), and daily urinary protein excretion were examined. In total, 104 adult patients (from 9 renal clinics in Japan) with primary chronic glomerulonephritis were fitted with a portable calorie counter for about two weeks to estimate their daily energy expenditure. On two separate days when the energy expenditure was expected to be contrastingly different, urine collection and blood sampling were performed, and the Ccr and daily urinary protein excretion were determined. Multiple regression analysis of Ccr clearly demonstrated a significant correlation between its acceleration and increase in the daily protein intake or protein excretion. In mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis showing a constant level of protein intake, the enhancement of Ccr revealed a significant inverse relation to the increase in daily energy expenditure (%BMR). It was demonstrated statistically that a daily energy expenditure exceeding 150 %BMR slowed the Ccr down. This limit was almost the same as the level in healthy adults living in urban cities of Japan. The urinary protein excretion was significantly correlated with the daily protein intake. These results should be taken into consideration in prescribing for each individual patient an allowable degree of labor or any other activity and an adequate dietary regimen, and also in evaluating the efficacy of a drug for glomerulonephritis.

Adolescent↗

[Single photon emission computed tomography by using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine and 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime in a patient with herpes simplex encephalitis].

Single photon emission computed tomographies (SPECTs) by using N-isopropyl-p-[123I-IMP]-iodo-amphetamine (123I-IMP) and 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (99mTc-HM-PAO) were serially performed in a 70 yrs. old male with herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), and the chronological changes of accumulations were studied. Accumulations of both 123I-IMP and 99mTc-HM-PAO increased initially, and then decreased with the stage of HSE being advanced. The sequential appearance of the lesion in HSE with 123I-IMP and 99mTc-HM-PAO SPECTs was as same as that reported previously by X-CT; beginning at the temporal lobe with eventually being spread to the occipital and frontal lobe. Furthermore, it was shown that findings of both SPECTs could reflect considerably the clinical features, and the laboratory data in central spinal fluid. Thus, 123I-IMP and 99mTc-HM-PAO SPECTs seemed to be a useful tool in the diagnosis, deciding of whether the treatment was suspended or continued, and clarifying the pathophysiology in HSE.

Aged↗

Hyperthecosis of the ovary. Clinicopathologic study of 19 cases with immunohistochemical analysis of steroidogenic enzymes.

Nineteen cases of ovarian hyperthecosis found in the Surgical Pathology Department files of the George Washington University Medical Center between 1976 and 1988 were reviewed. In all of these cases the ovaries were removed as part of a procedure for another clinical diagnosis. None of the cases was associated with clinical virilization, but the endometrium was abnormal in 15 of the 17 cases in which it was available for examination, ranging from simple hyperplasia to well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of the ovarian lesion for cytochromes P-450 17 alpha and P-450AROM, which catalyze androgen and estrogen synthesis, respectively, was performed in nine cases in which adequate tissue was available. P-450 17 alpha was localized in luteinized stromal cells in six of these cases--the endometrium of four of which was carcinomatous--while P-450AROM was not present in any case. These results confirm androgen production by the luteinized stromal cells in hyperthecosis, and suggests that estrogenic effects in these cases are mediated through peripheral aromatization of these androgens.

Adult↗

Mechanism of streptomycin resistance in Leptospira biflexa strain Urawa.

The mechanism of streptomycin resistance of Leptospira biflexa was investigated. A streptomycin-resistance mutant of Leptospira showed cross-resistance to dihydrostreptomycin but not to other antibiotics. Enzymatic inactivation of the drug could not be demonstrated in this mutant. Protein synthesis on the ribosomes from the mutant was insensitive to streptomycin. These results suggest that ribosomal resistance is the reason for streptomycin resistance in Leptospira biflexa.

Bacterial Proteins↗

[Detection of varicocele by using 99mTc-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid human serum albumin (99mTc-DTPA human serum albumin)].

In order to detect the varicocele, scrotal scintigraphies by using 99mTc-HSA-D were performed in 14 patients with male infertile or palpable mass in left scrotum on physical examinations. Abnormal pooling of 99mTc-HSA-D, indicative of varicocele lesion, could be found in left scrotum in 9 cases, confirmed surgically or clinically. Compared with 99mTc-HSA, 99mTc-HSA-D was superior in high uptake ratio of varicocele to soft tissue and in nonvisualization of bladder. Thus, 99mTc-HSA-D scrotal scintigraphy seemed to be of a great use to detect the varicocele.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation by using radionuclide uptake of bone in Paget's disease of bone: special reference to treatment with calcitonin.

Bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-MDP was performed on 2 patients with Paget's disease of bone before and after the treatment with a synthetic eel calcitonin analogue [Asu1,7)-eel calcitonin, ECT] at a dose of 40 U per day. All pagetic lesions showed markedly the increased accumulation of the radionuclide. The uptake ratio, defined as the count rate of 99mTc-MDP over each bone lesion to that over the control bone, was calculated. The response to the calcitonin therapy was evaluated with the uptake ratio of the radionuclide. The uptake ratio decreased markedly within the first 3 months of the treatment, in association with a palliation of bone pain, while the serum alkaline phosphatase activities which had been within the normal range or slightly high before the treatment did not show any significant change or did not reflect a clinical feature (e.g. bone pain) with the treatment. Thus, the uptake ratio on the bone scintigram seemed to offer the most sensitive and most reliable information for the evaluation of calcitonin treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

Aged↗

[Clinical usefulness of a dual photon absorptiometry system using X-ray for peripheral bone--comparison with a single photon absorptiometric system].

A newly developed dual photon absorptiometry system (DCS-600, ALOKA Co., LTD.) using two monochromatic X-rays for the determination of bone mineral in the peripheral bone was fundamentally studied, in comparison to single photon absorptiometry system (SPA). The accuracy and precision in DCS-600 were equal to or better than SPA system. Furthermore, in DCS-600 the forearm could be imaged, and the manipulation was easy. Thus DCS-600 was found to be a good instrument as a quantifying system of bone mass.

Bone and Bones↗