Biomedical subjects

M Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to M Morimoto.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Immunohistochemical study of the neuropeptides in the stellate ganglion of the water buffalo.

The localization of some neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin (Gal), methionine enkephalin (M-ENK), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity was studied in the stellate ganglion (SG) of water buffalo. NPY, SP, Gal and TH immunoreactivities were present in almost all of the ganglion cells. NPY, SP, Gal, SP, CGRP, VIP and M-ENK immunoreactive nerve fibers were also seen in the SG. The localization and pattern of distribution of these peptides in the water buffalo stellate ganglion were compared with those in stellate ganglia of other mammalian species.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[A case of acupuncture needle dermatitis].

A 65-year-old female visited our clinic with painful red vesicular dermatitis of the forehead and around the left eye. She had received acupuncture for headache and shoulder stiffness 6 days before visiting our clinic. A patch test with nickel sulfate gave positive results. We treated her with the greater occipital nerve block and trigger point injection which relieved her pain. We reached the diagnosis of greater occipital trigeminal syndrome with contact dermatitis from the acupuncture needle.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed2000

[Clinical study of cerebral blood flow in bilateral chronic subdural hematoma measured by 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT].

Cerebral blood flow(CBF) in 34 patients with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma was measured by 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT before operation. The regional CBF was measured in 26 regions of the 10 cortical regions, putamen, thalamus and cerebellar hemisphere on both sides. According to the thickness of subdural hematoma, the thicker hematoma side was measured and examined as the thick hematoma side, and the other side as the thin hematoma side. Thirty four cases with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma were classified into four groups on the basis of clinical symptoms: 13 cases with headache(headache group), 10 cases with hemiparesis(hemiparesis group), 5 cases with tetraparesis(tetraparesis group) and 6 cases with consciousness disturbance or dementia(consciousness disturbance group), and into two groups according to the degree of midline brain shift on MRI: 14 cases of non-shifted group and 20 cases of shifted group. The average CBF of 34 patients in each region indicated a regional CBF reduction in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices on the thin hematoma side, and in the putamen on the thick hematoma side. In the headache group, the regional CBF reduction on the thin hematoma side was found in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices compared with the corresponding regions on the thick hematoma side, and in thalamus on the thick hematoma side. In the hemiparesis and tetraparesis groups, there was no statistically significant CBF reduction between the thick and thin hematoma sides. In the consciousness disturbance group, the CBF reduction in whole brain was remarkably significant. By the degree of the midline brain shift, the CBF reductions between the thick and thin hematoma sides were observed. Namely, in the shifted group, the CBF reductions were noted in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices in the thin hematoma side, and in the putamen in the thick hematoma side. We concluded that the CBF reduction of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma was bilaterally found in the hemiparesis and tetraparesis groups, and which was finally observed in whole brain in the consciousness disturbance group.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Phenotype-genotype correlation in CD36 deficiency types I and II.

CD36 deficiency was studied with attention to the phenotype-genotype relationship. The diagnosis of CD36 deficiency was made when CD36 was negative on platelets (type II) or on both platelets and monocytes (type I). Among 827 apparently healthy Japanese volunteers, the type I and II deficiencies were found in 8 (1.0%) and 48 (5.8%), respectively. The T for C substitution at nt478 for Pro90Ser and the insertion of A at nt 1159 constituted the major causes of type I and II deficiencies. The dinucleotide deletion at nt539 had a minor role. In two family studies, we found a previously unreported polymorphic site in the 5'-proximal flanking region and the 3'-untranslated region. Including these new polymorphisms, DNA sequence other than the three known mutations affecting CD36 expression was not observed in the CD36 gene, calling into question the previous hypothesis that a platelet-specific silent allele exists near or at the CD36 gene.

Alleles↗

PubMed1999

Lysophosphatidylcholine phosphorylates CREB and activates the jun2TRE site of c-jun promoter in vascular endothelial cells.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a polar phospholipid increased in atherogenic lipoproteins and atherosclerotic lesions, has been shown to induce transcription of a variety of endothelial genes relevant to atherogenesis. Lyso-PC has been shown to activate c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) and thereby stimulate transcription of the c-jun gene. Here we provide evidence that lyso-PC can phosphorylate cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and thereby activate the jun2 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate response element (jun2TRE) site of the c-jun promoter, which appears to be the major molecular mechanism involved in lyso-PC-induced c-jun gene expression in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Transient transfection of BAEC with a 1.6-kbp c-jun promoter and luciferase reporter fusion gene resulted in a 12.9-fold increase in luciferase activity by lyso-PC treatment. Serial deletion mutation in c-jun promoter and luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that the 5' promoter region between nucleotide numbers -268 and -127, which contains a jun2TRE binding sequence, was most crucial for lyso-PC-induced transcription. The 5' promoter region between -76 and -27, which contains an AP-1 site, also affected lyso-PC-induced transcription of the c-jun gene. Point mutation in the jun2TRE site reduced lyso-PC-induced transcription of the c-jun promoter-luciferase fusion gene by a 70.3% decrease in c-jun promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed increased binding of (32)P-labeled oligonucleotides with jun2TRE in nuclear extracts isolated from lyso-PC-treated BAEC, which was abolished or supershifted by anti-CREB antibody. Immunoblotting with anti-phosphorylated CREB antibody showed rapid phosphorylation of this protein after lyso-PC treatment. These results indicate that lyso-PC phosphorylates CREB, which was then bound to the jun2TRE site of the c-jun promoter and activated transcription. Activation of jun2TRE may play a key role in the transcriptional activation of c-jun as well as other endothelial genes depending upon these transcription factors.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Efficacy of direct revascularization in adult Moyamoya disease: haemodynamic evaluation by positron emission tomography.

To evaluate the efficacy of direct cerebrovascular reconstruction to prevent intracranial bleeding from the point of view of haemodynamic status, we performed positron emission tomography (PET) studies in 5 adult patients with Moyamoya disease before and after superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (rCMRO2) and regional oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF) in the MCA territories and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the striatum were measured before and after STA-MCA anastomosis. Correlation between the change of these PET parameters and post-operative decreased opacification of Moyamoya vessels were analyzed. Pre-operatively, significant elevation of rCBV were observed in the basal ganglia as well as significant reduction of rCBF and elevation of rOEF with reduction of rCMRO2 in the MCA territories, indicating "misery" perfusion in the cerebral hemisphere and blood pooling in the Moyamoya vessels under increased haemodynamic stress. Post-operative PET study showed improvement of misery perfusion and reduction of rCBV in the basal ganglia. Reduction of rCBV in the basal ganglia generally compatible with decreasing Moyamoya vessels on angiographic findings. Our results suggests that direct bypass surgery could have a potential both for decreasing haemodynamic stress on Moyamoya vessels and to improve misery perfusion in the hemisphere.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer.

BACKGROUND: Osteoplastic craniotomy has been performed recently with microfixation systems such as miniplates, burr hole buttons, and/or ceramic dust. However, these are costly methods of treatment. Without the use of these devices, we performed cosmetic osteoplastic craniotomy using an inexpensive chisel and hammer. METHODS: Our osteoplastic craniotomy with a chisel and hammer was used on 19 lesions in 15 patients. Using a chisel, the bone flap was cut gently from the calvarium to the skull base, the lamina externa to the diploe (finally the lamina interna), and both ends to the midportion between two holes. The lamina interna in the cranium was trimmed easily after removal of the bone flap. The bone defect was minimal because of the absence of a narrow cutting groove and because craniectomy was not performed. The bone flap was replaced by tapping and was tightly fixed. No special fixation system was needed, except for threads. RESULTS: Follow-up (mean follow-up, 5 months; range, 5 weeks to 9 months) skull X-ray and 3D-CT showed good fusion and inherent normal configuration of the bone flap. There were two minor dural tears and two minor bony fractures. CONCLUSION: A good cosmetic effect without the use of any additional instruments was accomplished with osteoplastic craniotomy using a chisel and hammer.

Craniotomy↗

PubMed1999

Lactic dehydrogenase virus inhibits allergic immunoglobulin E production: in vivo molecular analysis of cytokines.

The effects of lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) infection on allergic immunoglobulin (Ig)E production and interleukin (IL)-4 gene expression were studied. LDV infection suppressed antigen-induced IgE production in sensitized mice. The elevations of IL-4 gene expression in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes 3 and 7 days after ovalbumin challenge were suppressed significantly in LDV-infected mice compared with control mice. The expression of the interferon (IFN)-gamma gene of mesenteric lymph nodes was significantly increased in LDV-infected mice. These results suggest that LDV infection suppressed antigen-induced IgE production by decreasing IL-4 production, and that suppression of IL-4 gene expression may be mediated by a mutual inhibition mechanism between T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells.

Allergens↗

PubMed1999

Optimal injection protocol for CT evaluation during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: As an imaging modality for follow-up during continuous or repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using a hepatic intra-arterial indwelling catheter, the usefulness of CT while infusing contrast through the indwelling catheter (reservoir port) was examined. METHODS: Using reservoir ports implanted in eight patients with hepatic metastasis from colon cancer, radioisotope perfusion scintigraphy (RI), CT (three rates of infusion of contrast were used), and digital subtraction angiography (AG) were performed to compare the modalities' ability to visualize the intrahepatic and abnormal extrahepatic distributions. RESULTS: CT (infusion rate 0.1 mL/sec) was superior to AG and RI in terms of the ability to visualize intrahepatic distribution, particularly in small areas, and facilitated 3D delineation of the distribution. In evaluating extrahepatic distribution, CT also outperformed the other modalities. CONCLUSIONS: For imaging study follow-up during hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, CT proved to be more useful than conventional RI and AG.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Lactic dehydrogenase virus infection inhibits allergic eosinophil reaction and IL-5 gene expression in vivo.

The effects of lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) infection on allergic eosinophil reaction and IL-5 gene expression were studied. LDV infection suppressed antigen-induced eosinophil recruitment into the peritoneal cavity in sensitized mice. The elevation of IL-5 gene expression in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes 6 h after ovalbumin challenge was significantly suppressed in LDV-infected mice compared with uninfected (control) mice. The expression of the interferon-gamma and IL-2 genes in the spleen, but not in mesenteric lymph nodes, was significantly suppressed in LDV-infected mice compared with control mice. The present results suggest, that suppression of IL-5 gene expression by LDV infection may not be mediated by a mutual inhibitory mechanism between Th1 and Th2 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Tissue distribution of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the acute phase of murine DSS-induced colitis.

In the present study, we examined histochemically the tissue distribution of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the acute phase of murine colitis induced by administering DSS in the drinking water. DSS was mainly observed in the Kupffer cells of the liver, in the macrophages of the mesenteric lymph node (MLN) and in the lamina propria of the large intestine after administration of DSS. We followed the time course of DSS distribution and found that DSS, which was considered as a large and negatively charged molecule that can not easily cross membranes, was distributed in the liver, the MLN, and the large intestine 1 day after the start of administration of DSS.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Changes in colonic mucosal permeability in mouse colitis induced with dextran sulfate sodium.

In this study we examined changes in colonic mucosal permeability induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) during the acute phase of mouse colitis. To induce colitis, the mice were given drinking water containing 5% (w/v) DSS (MW = 40,000) ad libitum. Colonic mucosal permeability was evaluated by the permeation of Evans blue (EB) from the lumen into the wall of the colon on 1, 2, 3 and 7 days postadministration of DSS. Mucosal changes were also histologically examined daily for 7 days postadministration. The permeation of EB increased significantly by days 3 and 7 postadministration. Histological analysis showed that crypt loss was the initial change, with no inflammatory process and the surface mucosal epithelial cells remained morphologically intact. These histological changes developed on 2 to 3 days postadministration. Erosion was first recognized at 5 days postadministration. These findings indicated that the increase in colonic mucosal permeability may have occurred in 3 days postadministration, and the increase in mucosal permeability occurred before the appearance of the inflammatory process. This suggests that an increase in colonic mucosal permeability, leading to the destruction of mucosal barrier function, may play an important role in the induction of DSS-induced murine colitis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Orthostatic hypotension improved after bilateral carotid endarterectomy--case report.

A 60-year-old male with recurrent syncopal attacks presented with orthostatic hypotension on the head-up tilt test. Angiography also showed severe stenosis of the bilateral extracranial carotid arteries. He underwent two-staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy. After the operations, the orthostatic hypotension resolved and the syncopal attacks have disappeared completely. Orthostatic hypotension in this patient was due to vasodepressor-type carotid sinus syndrome caused by compression of the carotid baroreceptors by atherosclerotic plaques.

Carotid Arteries↗

PubMed1999

[Fibrous dysplasia of the skull presenting interesting neuroradiological findings].

A case of fibrous dysplasia of the frontal bone in a 51 year-old male is described. He was admitted to our hospital with a hard, painless growing mass in the left frontal region. A symmetrical protrusion of his forehead has been observed since several years before. Neurological examination and laboratory data revealed no abnormalities. Skull x-rays demonstrated two different lesions. One showed a ground glass appearance in the supraorbital region, and the other showed a radiolucent lesion with marginal sclerosis crossing the left coronal suture CT scan revealed an intradiploic multilocular mass. T1 and T2 MR images showed an abnormal low-intensity mass, and heterogeneous gadolinium-enhancement was noticed in both lesions. Selective external carotid angiography showed tumor stain in the left coronal mass fed by middle meningeal and superficial temporal arteries mimicking intraosseous meningioma. On the other hand, a supraorbital hyperostotic lesion showed no apparent vascularity. An operation was performed on the left coronal lesion to verify the nature of the progressively enlarging mass, which was histologically confirmed to be a fibrous dysplasia rich in numerous vessels. Postoperative course was uneventful. Correlation with clinical activity and enhancement pattern was not known, however, careful observation is required in hypervascular fibrous dysplasia such as was observed in this case.

Cerebral Angiography↗

PubMed1999

[Precision and accuracy of white blood cell differentiation by an automated blood cell analyzer].

Precision and accuracy are important to assure the quality of clinical laboratory tests. We investigated the precision and accuracy of white blood cell (WBC) differentiation by automated blood cell analyzers. The coefficients of variation (CVs) of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil differentiation by GEN.S (Coulter), based on a flow system and VCS technology, were 1.1%, 1.5%, 4.6%, 2.1%, and 33.3%, respectively. Between-run precision for neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil differentiation by GEN.S using cell control, 5C in 26 serial days was 2.0%, 2.8%, 6.5%, 9.2%, and 29.5%, respectively. The precision of WBC differentiation by blood cell analyzers based on the flow system was excellent except for basophil. We studied the accuracy of WBC differentiation by blood cell analyzers based on the flow system in contrast with eye-count. The correlations between neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil percentages counted by GEN.S and by eye-count were r = 0.968, 0.971, 0.902, 0.940, and 0.391, respectively. The agreement rate between WBC differentiation by Microx, a blood cell analyzer based on pattern recognition, and eye-count cell by cell was good except for basophils. The accuracy of WBC differentiation by blood cell analyzers was also excellent excluding basophils.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

[Self-expanding stent (Wallstent) supported angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis].

We reported the preliminary results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) supported with a self-expanding stent (Wallstent) for the cervical internal carotid artery (i.c.) stenosis in 6 patients (7 lesions). All were male aged from 60 to 79 (mean 70.8). Three patients were symptomatic and 3 were asymptomatic. The procedure was attempted in patients with severe i.c. stenosis according to criteria of NASCET, ECST or ACAS studies and with high risk if carotid endarterectomy (CEA) were performed. In all cases, vascular access was from the femoral artery and angioplasty was performed without cerebral protection. Successful angioplasty was obtained in all cases with no mortality. Stenosis was improved from 82.7% (74-90%) to 17.4% (10-33%). Perioperative complications were seen in only one case with TIA during the postdilatation period, which was supposed to be due to a distal embolism. The preliminary results of PTA supported with self-expanding stent for severe i.c. stenosis were excellent. These results suggested that some patients with severe i.c. stenosis can be treated safely and effectively by stent-supported PTA. However, it is necessary to mark the indications clear and strict, and to follow up these lesions after the procedure, because of the possibility of perioperative ischemic complications and restenosis.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Comparison of positron emission tomography study results of cerebral hemodynamics in patients with bleeding- and ischemic-type moyamoya disease.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the difference in cerebral hemodynamics and metabolic status between patients with bleeding- and ischemic-type moyamoya disease. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), regional cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (rCMRO2), regional oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF), and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in the cortex of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories and rCBV in the striatum were measured using positron emission tomography (PET) in 17 patients with moyamoya disease. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to type of disease manifestation and age: adult bleeding type (five cases), adult ischemic type (10 cases), and childhood ischemic type (two cases). When compared with adult controls, statistically significant reductions in rCBF and rCMRO2, elevation in rOEF in the MCA territories, and elevation of rCBV in the striatum were observed in PET studies for all three subgroups. Between the adult bleeding type and ischemic type, rCBF, rCMRO2, and rOEF in the MCA territories were not different, but rCBV in the striatum was higher in patients with ischemic-type moyamoya disease than in those with the bleeding type. In adult patients with bleeding and ischemic types, rOEF and rCBV in the MCA territories and rCBV in the striatum were significantly lower than in patients with childhood ischemic-type moyamoya disease. In adult patients with bleeding-type moyamoya disease, cerebral hemodynamics were impaired and similar to those in adult ischemic type.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Expression and purification of a mutant human growth hormone that is resistant to proteolytic cleavage by thrombin, plasmin and human plasma in vitro.

The region having a sequence from amino acid 134 to 150 in human growth hormone (hGH) is known to be cleaved by proteases in human plasma, plasmin and thrombin. In this study, oligonucleotide primer-directed mutagenesis was used to produce recombinant mutant hGHs resistant to limited proteolysis by these proteases. Substitution of Arg134 and Thr135 of hGH with Asp134 and Pro135 yielded a thrombin-resistant hGH mutant, and substitution of Arg134, Thr135 and Lys140 with Asp134, Pro135 and Ala140 yielded a plasmin-resistant hGH mutant. The latter mutant hGH was also insensitive to in vitro proteolysis by human plasma incubated for 7 days. These alterations in amino acid residues of hGH did not disrupt its biological conformation and retained full growth promoting activities on rat Nb2 cells and human T-47D breast cancer cells.

Animals↗