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Biomedical subjects

M Nagai

Publications and source records attributed to M Nagai.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

PML-RAR alpha fusion transcripts by RNA PCR in acute promyelocytic leukemia in remission and its correlation with clinical outcome.

Molecularly defined specific chromosomal translocation in leukemia allows detection of minimal residual leukemia cells by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, the positivity of the specific fusion transcripts in chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia with t(8;21) is reportedly not directly correlated with the predictability of relapse. We analyzed seven patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in hematological remission for PML-retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML-RAR alpha) fusion transcripts by RT-PCR with the sensitivity level of one APL cell in 10(5) bone marrow mononuclear cells. Two of the four patients with chemotherapy-induced remission had detectable PML-RAR alpha only before treatment. In the other two patients with chemotherapy-induced remission, the PML-RAR alpha was detectable when their remission was first confirmed and became negative after consolidation chemotherapy. Two patients were resistant to chemotherapy and achieved remission by all-trans-retinoic acid; PML-RAR alpha was detectable in them for a few months during consolidation chemotherapy. Two patients whose PML-RAR alpha had become continuously positive had relapse 2 and 8 months later, but the other five patients with continuously negative or only transiently positive PML-RAR alpha remained in remission during follow-up for 11 to 35 months. These findings suggest the relevance of detectable PML-RAR alpha by RT-PCR to the predictability of relapse in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Prevalence estimates for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in Japan from National Survey of Circulatory Disorders 1990 data].

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Japan was estimated from fructosamine and hemoglobin A1c measurement data obtained from the National Survey of Circulatory Disorders 1990, using a previously reported method which used the results of a screening test for estimating true prevalence. The prevalence for males was higher than that for females. The prevalences were less than 10% for those 49 years or younger and approximately 20% for those 50 years or older. The estimated values derived from fructosamine or hemoglobin A1c did not vary considerably.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[A family case of HAM and HTLV-I carrier including two sisters presenting with myositis].

We reported a family case of HAM and HTLV-I carrier including two sisters presenting with myositis. Both the 65-year-old elder sister and her 53-year-old younger sister initially noted lumbago and developed difficulty in walking several years later. Neurologic examination revealed muscle weakness of the proximal parts of the upper and lower limbs (especially the latter). Mild hyperreflexia in all extremities, urinary disturbance and constipation were detected in the elder sister, while only urinary disturbance and constipation were seen in the younger. Anti-HTLV-I antibody in both serum and CSF was positive in both sisters. Muscle biopsy specimens showed features of myositis with perivascular, perimysial and endomysial lymphocyte infiltration. Although an association between HTLV-I and polymyositis had not yet been established, we think that our cases support such an association.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[A case of herpes zoster meningoencephalitis followed by involvement of cranial nerves IX, X, XI].

The patient is a 64-year-old woman with herpes zoster meningo-encephalitis followed by involvement of cranial nerves IX, X, XI. On admission, she had severe neck pain on the left side and mild nuchal rigidity. Three days later, herpetic vesicles on the left side of her neck (C2, C3, area). Herpes zoster meningoencephalitis was diagnosed based on CSF pleocytosis, high serum and CSF titers of herpes zoster antibody, and EEG abnormality. During hospitalization, paralysis of the left vocal cord, rightward deviation of the uvula, and gradual paralysis of the left sternocleidomastoideus and trapezius muscles developed. On cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T2-weighted image clearly revealed a high-signal lesion in left dorsal part of the medulla oblongata. This area appeared to correspond to the nucleus ambiguous and vagal nucleus. In this case, we believe that the inflammation originated in the C2, C3 posterior ganglion cells, extended to the IX, X, XI cranial nerves and to the part of the medulla oblongata. It is likely that the number of patients in whom a lesion of the cranial nucleus is revealed by MRI will increase in the future.

Accessory Nerve↗
PubMed1994

[Massive intraventricular hemorrhage from prolactinoma during bromocriptine therapy: case report].

We are reporting herein a case with massive intraventricular hemorrhage secondary to prolactinoma, which initially extended into the suprasellar cistern but reduced in size after one year of bromocriptine therapy, resulting in intrasellar herniation. This is the 6th reported case of intraventricular hemorrhage from a pituitary adenoma. Neuroradiographic features are described in detail and the pertinent literature is reviewed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

[A method of estimation for prevalence of diabetes mellitus from fructosamine levels].

A method for estimating the prevalence interval of diabetes mellitus from fructosamine data is presented, which is based on the previously reported method for estimating prevalence from results of screening tests and on the results of 75 gram glucose tolerance test and fructosamine test in 1,359 examinees. Where true prevalences are 1-20% and population size is 100-10,000, the estimates for prevalence of diabetes mellitus are generally minimum when a screening level of 310 mumol/l of fructosamine is utilized. In our method, a screening level for fructosamine of 310 mumol/l was specified. Standard error ratios of estimated prevalence of diabetes mellitus to true prevalence in a population with an actual prevalence of 10% were about 40% for a population of 200 persons, and about 20% for 2,000 persons or more.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1993

Sequential alterations in tRNA population of 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced hepatocyte nodules.

In order to investigate the possible mechanisms by which cellular alterations can start an altered onco-developmental gene expression, we studied tRNA distribution profiles during the early steps of 2-acetylaminofluorene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. The finding of progressive and sequential alterations appears to support the hypothesis of a causal connection between tRNA changes and nodular cell proliferation, possibly through the disruption of the mechanism which regulates tRNA functional adaptation.

2-Acetylaminofluorene↗
PubMed1993

Determination of Fe-CO geometry in the subunits of carbonmonoxy hemoglobin M Boston using femtosecond infrared spectroscopy.

We have undertaken ultrafast infrared (IR) spectroscopic studies in order to elucidate the geometry of bound CO in the alpha and beta subunits of hemoglobin (Hb) M Boston 13CO. Hb M Boston is a mutant human Hb in which the distal histidine in the alpha subunits is replaced by a tyrosine. The IR absorptions of bound 13CO fall at 1925 cm-1 for the alpha subunits and 1907 cm-1 for the beta subunits. Despite a difference of nearly 20 cm-1 in these peaks, the measured anisotropies of the bound 13CO depletions following 30% photolysis are nearly identical, with values of -0.142 +/- 0.002 obtained for the alpha subunits and -0.140 +/- 0.003 obtained for the beta subunits. These translate to values of 20 degrees +/- 1 degree and 21 degrees +/- 1 degree for the values of the average angles between the CO bond and the normal to the heme planes in the alpha and beta subunits, respectively. Our present results and the work of previous investigators [Nagai, M., Yoneyama, Y., & Kitagawa, T. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 6495-6503] suggest that a change in the polar interactions of the bound CO with the heme pocket environment upon substitution of tyrosine for the distal histidine and a less bent structure for the Fe-C-O unit in the alpha subunits are responsible for the difference in the bound CO absorption frequencies in the alpha and beta subunits. A spectrum of the depletion of the bound 13CO peaks following photolysis indicates that both subunits photodissociate CO with the same quantum yield and neither subunit exhibits significant recombination within 1 ns.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1993

Growth factor for cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiac size can be regulated by the balance in activity between cardiac growth factors and inhibiting factors, chalones. This study was undertaken to verify the role of the cardiac growth factor and its purification from hypertrophied hearts. For this propose the hypertrophied hearts of renovascular hypertensive rats were used. The purification was made by using an isoelectric focusing chromatography and the HPLC method. We examined the cardiac growth effect of the isolated fractions with cultured chicken embryonic cardiac myocytes. Simultaneously, the influence of these fractions on the cardiac cell cycle was examined by DNA analysis with the flow cytometric method. If the hearts were overloaded due to hypertension, the growth of the cardiac size could be induced by increased the level of five proteins with different molecular weight and with an isoelectric point of 8.3. The significant growth activities were observed at these five proteins compared to the absence of the fractions. For the appearance of these growth effect, it is necessary that the structure of the protein is there fundamentally as a form with a molecular weight of 27 k dalton. After addition of these isolated fractions, BrdU content is S and G2 phases by flow cytometry was increased. This change indicates that the cardiac myocytes are stimulated in form DNA synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

CD7, CD34-positive stem cell leukemia arising in agnogenic myeloid metaplasia.

Agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder arising from a single hematopoietic cell. Approximately 5% of reported cases of AMM have terminated in leukemic crisis; however, the precise characteristics of the leukemic cells have rarely been reported. We report a case of AMM that occurred in a 42-year-old man and was complicated by leukemic transformation. The leukemic cells were morphologically lymphoblastoid cells with a negative reaction to peroxidase staining, and phenotypically characterized as CD7+, CD34+, HLA-DR+, CD4-, CD8-, CD10-, CD13-, and CD33-. Southern blot analysis revealed that T cell receptor-beta, gamma, and immunoglobulin heavy chain genes in leukemic cells were retained in germ-line configuration. These observations suggest that leukemic cells in our case involved early hematopoietic stem cells rather than those strictly committed to myeloid or lymphoid precursors. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem cell leukemia arising in a patient with AMM.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Three-dimensional distribution of myocardial fibrosis in the new J-2-N cardiomyopathic hamster: comparison with electrocardiographic findings.

Using the new J-2-N strain of cardiomyopathic hamster obtained by cross-breeding Bio 14.6 and Golden hamsters, we investigated the three-dimensional distribution of ventricular myocardial fibrosis and compared it with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Twelve-lead ECG recordings were made by our own method. The hearts were cut into serial sections and subjected to light microscopic examination. The distribution, density, and volume of myocardial interstitial fibrosis and replacement fibrosis due to myocardial degeneration (F%) were visualized three-dimensionally using the TRI system (TRI; Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Image; Ratoc System Engineering, Tokyo, Japan). Thirty-two J-2-N hamsters were divided into two groups; one group comprised 17 animals with normal hearts and normal ECG findings similar to those of Golden hamsters, and the other group of 15 hamsters had dilated hearts and abnormal ECG findings. In the normal hearts, the F% values for the right ventricle, left ventricle, and ventricular septum were 6.4 +/- 0.94, 6.5 +/- 0.95, and 6.5 +/- 0.98 (mean +/- SD), respectively. The dilated hearts showed marked fibrosis, which was distributed mainly in the middle layer of the left ventricle and the ventricular septum. The corresponding F% values for the hamsters with cardiac enlargement were 19 +/- 2.6, 19 +/- 1.8, and 22 +/- 3.2 (mean +/- SD), respectively. Replacement of myocytes by fibrosis seemed to correspond to abnormal Q waves in the anterior chest leads and left axis deviation of the QRS complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Aroma glycosides from Hovenia dulsis.

From the fresh leaves of Hovenia dulsis var. tomentella, two new aroma glycosides named kenposide A and B have been isolated together with the known glycoside, icariside C1. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Unbalanced translocation (1;7) and inversion 16 in a patient with acute myelocytic leukemia.

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 has been delineated as a characteristic chromosome abnormality of acute myelomonocytic leukemia with abnormal eosinophils and a favorable prognosis. By contrast, unbalanced translocation (1;7) has been reported as frequently associated with therapy-related leukemia, and patients with this karyotypic abnormality are susceptible to severe infections which lead to a poor prognosis. Here we report the first case of acute myelocytic leukemia in which the complexed chromosomal aberrations of der(7)t(1;7)(cen;cen) and inv(16) were found simultaneously in the patient's leukemia cells. Eosinocytosis has not been observed so far, but life-threatening pneumonia developed during the remission induction therapy.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1993

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator effects of the extract from Salviae Miltiorrhizae radix. A study on the identification of lithospermic acid B in the extracts.

1. The aqueous extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae radix (Chinese crude drug named "dan-shen") relaxed the noradrenaline-precontracted aorta with endothelium. 2. Vasodilation by the extract disappeared in aorta without endothelium, and was inhibited by pretreatment with 10(-4) M NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or 10(-5) M methylene blue. 3. The inhibition of the extract-induced vasodilation by L-NMMA was reversed by L-arginine (3 x 10(-4) M). 4. The component of the extract was analyzed by chromatography, fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (FAB-MS) and 1H-NMR. 5. An active component of the extract, which showed endothelium-dependent vasodilation, was found to be identical with lithospermic acid B.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1993

An autoaggressive process against bystander tissues in HTLV-I-infected individuals: a possible pathomechanism of HAM/TSP.

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a well-defined clinico-pathological entity in which the virus infection and the host immune responses are involved in the pathomechanism. It is generally agreed that the virus infection precedes the development of HAM/TSP and the infection is persistent during the course of disease. However, what plays the key role for the development of HAM/TSP remains to be elucidated. In this article, we emphasise the importance of the unique nature of HTLV-I-infected cells, which may have a potential ability to produce viral antigens outside of the blood flow, and we also review a variety of evidences supporting the following proposal. In our hypothesis, the supply of infected T cells from blood flow to central nervous system (CNS) is primary for the development of CNS lesions. Both anatomically determined hemodynamic conditions and adhesion molecule-mediated interactions between circulating infected T cells and endothelial cells may contribute to the localization of the main lesions. Following an induction of the HTLV-I antigens on the surface of infected T cells in CNS compartment, expansion of the responses of immunocompetent T cells against the viral proteins may result in CNS tissue damage which may be mediated by released cytokines. This is the first attempt to implicate a bystander damage mechanism in a human disease as an essential pathomechanism.

Autoimmunity↗