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Biomedical subjects

M Shimizu

Publications and source records attributed to M Shimizu.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Characterization of pseudorabies viruses recently isolated in Japan by restriction endonuclease assay.

A total of 148 Japanese isolates of pseudorabies virus (PrV) collected in 1987 to 1990 were examined for the cleavage patterns of their genomes by a restriction endonuclease (RE) assay using BamHI and KpnI. Basically, there was no large difference in the cleavage patterns of viruses recently isolated in Japan. All of them were considered as belonging to BamHI cleavage pattern type II as well as strain Yamagata-S81 that is the first isolate of PrV in Japan, suggesting that no remarkable variations occurred in PrVs spreading in Japan since the first outbreak in 1981. However, considerable variations that are probably due to the gain and/or loss of cleavage sites, and to the addition and/or deletion of nucleotide sequences were detected in the repeat, conjunction and left end regions of genome. Some of those variations were similar to one another among the viruses isolated in the same geographical areas or farms at the same times, and from the epidemiologically related outbreaks, indicating that the RE assay on PrV genome is one of useful tools for the epidemiological studies on Aujeszky's disease.

Animals↗

Gross ascites as a first manifestation of primary hypothyroidism due to post-treatment of radioiodine therapy for Graves' disease.

We report herein a case with myxedema (primary hypothyroidism) associated with marked ascites that was found during the course of examination for a suspected decompensated state of liver cirrhosis or malignant disease. Aspirated ascitic fluid was found to have the characteristics of the exudate. Thyroid hormone replacement resulted in rapid clinical improvement with resolution of the ascites. This case is an unusual association of hypothyroidism as a cause of ascites. In all the cases with ascites of unknown etiology, the differential diagnosis requires consideration of myxedema.

Ascites↗

Disproportionate hypertrophy of the interventricular septum and its regression in Cushing's syndrome. Report of three cases.

Three patients of Cushing's syndrome with severe disproportionate hypertrophy of the interventricular septum are reported. All three underwent adrenalectomy and the diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was confirmed by the presence of adrenal adenoma. All three showed hypertension before the adrenalectomy and two remained hypertensive following adrenalectomy. Before the operations the electrocardiograms revealed inverted T waves in broad leads, and mechanocardiogram systolic and diastolic dysfunction. After the adrenalectomies, abnormal findings on electrocardiograms were normalized and septal hypertrophy was completely regressed. It appears that not only high aortic pressure but also excessive plasma cortisol may be an etiologic factor of the left ventricular hypertrophy in Cushing's syndrome.

Adrenalectomy↗

Fabry's disease.

A 20-year-old man presented with generalized acquired anhidrosis and heat intolerance which was confirmed by a sweat test. Other clinical features included severe pain of the extremities and cutaneous angiokeratomas. On electronmicroscopy, granules specific for Fabry's disease were observed in the endothelial cells. Biochemical examination revealed a decreased level of serum alpha-galactosidase A. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of Fabry's disease.

Adult↗

Simultaneous determination of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide of breath using gas-solid chromatography.

The analysis of respiratory hydrogen and methane was estimated as a useful index of intestinal fermentation of undigestible carbohydrate. A simultaneous and precious analysis of these gases as well as carbon dioxide was studied. A gas-impermeable multi-laminated film bag metalized by aluminum vapor was fitted to use as a storage bag; its impermeability was verified by measuring the residual rate of hydrogen after 3 months' storage. Hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide of the breath gas even at 1 ppm could be determined simultaneously by using a gas-solid chromatography installed with a photoionization detector and active carbon column. To observe the genesis of hydrogen and methane after carbohydrate ingestion, pectin, a typical water-soluble dietary fiber, was fed to healthy volunteers. Increasing excretion of pulmonary hydrogen or methane showed the sign of intestinal fermentation as the results of carbohydrate malabsorption.

Adult↗

Positive antinuclear antibody in atopic dermatitis.

Serum samples from atopic dermatitis (AD) patients were examined with two antinuclear antibody-detecting methods, using HEp-2 cells as substrate. 34.0% of 47 AD patients tested with FITC-conjugated polyvalent immunoglobulins (method 1) had positive antinuclear antibody (ANA). 26.3% of 57 AD patients examined with FITC-conjugated anti-IgG (method 2) had positive ANA. We found that AD patients who had facial lesions tended to have positive ANA, whereas severe AD patients tended to have high titres of ANA.

Adolescent↗

In vitro study of E. coli tRNA identity elements.

Various tRNA transcripts were constructed to study the identity elements of E. coli tRNAs (Arg, Lys, Ala, Trp, Thr, Gly, Ser, Asn, Cys, His). Anticodon are involved in the identity elements in these tRNA species except the case of tRNA(Ala) and tRNA(Ser). Especially, the second and third positions of the anticodon are the recognition sites of E. coli tRNA(Arg), tRNA(Lys) and tRNA(Thr) for their cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Discriminator base is an identity determinant of the above examined tRNAs except tRNA(Thr) and tRNA(Ser). In some cases, acceptor stem (Thr, Gly, His) and variable pocket (Arg, Ala) are considered to be the recognition elements.

Amino Acids↗

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--51 cases in the Jikei University School of Medicine].

Between April 1991 and August 1992, we diagnosed 51 cases of CFS who met definition of CFS designated by CDC, 1988. They are 41 female and 11 male, and 78% are women. At first visit, their ages are ranged from 16 to 64 years old, and approximately 45% is 20 to 30 years old. In periods of illness from onset, 39.2% of the patients are in period of 6 month to 1 year, 19.6% within 2 years, and 15.6% within 3 years, respectively. The sufferer who have symptoms of CFS over 10 years long are in 6 cases. Most of patients have already been examined by many other clinics and hospitals. They have been told as no abnormal medical condition, or often as neurosis, depressive state and autonomous imbalance etc. Interesting things are trigger of CFS. 77.5% of patients have onset of flu-like symptom, including 5 cases of acute infectious mononucleosis. In many female patients, symptoms of CFS begun after hand work in addition to psychological factors. Specific laboratory results are not shown in CBC, urinalysis, biochemical studies and inflammatory marhers. 6 cases hare positive Rheumatoid factor and positive ANF are shown in 16 cases (31.3%). Specific patterns of anti EBV antibodies are not shown. Lymphocyte subsets used by monoclonal antibodies are not specific. At the present, prognosis is good and 56.8% of CFS patients are generally improved. For severe cases, NSAID, Sulpiride, Amitryptiline and minor tranquilizer are used.

Adolescent↗

Mutations induced by DNA lesions in hot spots of the c-Ha-ras gene.

In order to investigate whether several DNA lesions (O6-methylguanine, 8-hydroxyguanine, xanthine, an abasic site analogue and hypoxanthine) activate a c-Ha-ras gene and to determine the type of mutations induced by the DNA lesions, they were introduced into a synthetic c-Ha-ras gene by DNA cassette mutagenesis techniques. The modified genes were transfected into mouse NIH3T3 cells and the c-Ha-ras genes present in transformed cells were analysed. O6-methylguanine and xanthine induced a mutation to A, hypoxanthine induced a mutation to G. 8-hydroxyguanine and the abasic site analogue caused random mutations in the modified and adjacent positions. These results indicated that the synthetic c-Ha-ras gene is very useful for the detection of mutations caused by a DNA lesion.

3T3 Cells↗

[Left atrial booster pump function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and essential hypertension: evaluations based on left atrial pressure-volume relationship].

In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and essential hypertension (HT), left ventricular dysfunction in early diastole which is associated with left atrial contraction plays an important role in left ventricular filling. To evaluate left atrial booster pump function, we analyzed left atrial preload (left atrial pressure at the end of diastasis; LAPd, left atrial volume index at the end of diastasis; LAVd), left atrial afterload (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure; LVEDP, left ventricular chamber stiffness constant; K), and left atrial ejection indices (left atrial ejection fraction during atrial contraction; LAEF, left atrial ejection volume index during atrial contraction; ACVI). The study subjects consisted of control subjects (n = 5), HT patients (n = 6), and HCM patients (n = 11). The left ventricular wall was significantly thicker in the HT and HCM groups. The left ventricular rapid filling volume index was less in the HT group, and significantly less in the HCM than in the control group. LAPd and LAVd were greater in the HT group than in the control group, and greater in the HCM group than in the HT group. LVEDP and K were greater in the HT group than in the control group, and significantly greater in the HCM group than in the other 2 groups. ACVI was greater in the HT group than in the control group, but in the HCM group, ACVI was significantly less than in the HT group and did not differ significantly from that in the control group. LAEF was significantly less in the HCM group than in the other 2 groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Response of coronary arteries to intracoronary acetylcholine infusion in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia].

Loss of the vasodilator response to acetylcholine (Ach), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, has been demonstrated in animal models of atherosclerosis and in atherosclerotic coronary arteries of humans studied in vitro. The response of normal coronary arteries on angiograms to the intracoronary injection of Ach in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was studied. Ten patients with FH (mean age, 53.6 +/- 6.5 years) with a mean serum total cholesterol of 334.8 mg/dl and 12 controls (mean age, 55.8 +/- 14.5 years) with a total cholesterol level of 183.6 mg/dl, and with normal coronary arteries on angiograms were studied. Patients with clinical histories suggestive of coronary spastic angina were excluded from this study. A bolus of 20, 50 micrograms Ach and 2 mg isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) were infused into the left coronary artery in each subject. Changes in coronary diameters were measured after each injection with a videodensitometric analysis system. In the control group, the diameter at the middle segments of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and at the proximal and middle segments of the left circumflex artery (LCX) increased significantly in response to Ach; whereas, in the FH group the diameter at the proximal segments of the LAD decreased significantly. There were significant differences in the coronary diameter changes in response to 50 micrograms Ach at the proximal and middle segments of the LAD and the LCX between the 2 groups. In contrast, between these 2 groups, there were no significant differences in the vasodilator responses to ISDN, a direct vascular smooth muscle dilator. The vasodilator response of coronary artery to Ach was diminished in patients with FH.

Acetylcholine↗

[Comparison of treadmill exercise, handgrip, and cold-pressor tests: with particular reference to the effects on hemodynamics, respiratory gas exchange, and sympathetic nervous activity].

The treadmill test (TM), handgrip test (HG) and cold-pressor test (CP) are now frequently used clinically for multiple purposes. However, gas exchange analysis has not been a common procedure during HG. In particular, during CP, it has not been previously reported. Relationships between these 3 tests and blood pressure, heart rate (HR), respiratory gas exchange and the sympathetic nervous activity of normal subjects have not been reported, either. This study was undertaken to clarify these points. Symptom-limited TM was performed in 11 normal male subjects with a mean age of 45 +/- 8 yrs according to the Bruce protocol, with the HG using the weight-sustaining method (equal weight of 50% maximal voluntary contraction) for 3 min, and CP for 2 min. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (Ps, Pd) were recorded; HR was measured every 30 sec, and gas exchange variables, such as oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide production, were documented every 10 sec using an aereomonitor AE-280 (Minato Medical Science Co). In 10 of 11 subjects, concentrations of plasma noradrenaline (PNA) and plasma adrenaline (PAD) were measured at rest and at the times of peak values of the 3 tests. The peak values of Ps and HR were much higher during TM than during HG and CP (p < 0.01), while the peak values of Pd during HG and CP were higher than during TM (p < 0.01). The VO2 increased significantly for all of the 3 tests (TM: +781%, HG: +65%, CP: +20%), with the increment being the greatest during TM. Both PNA and PAD increased significantly for the 3 tests, with the increments of PNA and PAD being the greatest during TM. The percent change in PAD was more prominent during HG and CP than during TM. This tendency was not as clear for PNA as for PAD. There was no correlation of delta Ps and delta Pd between the 3 tests, but values of delta HR correlated partially. No significant correlations of peak VO2 were observed between the 3 tests. The peak PNA correlated between HG and CP (r = 0.77, p < 0.01), and the peak PAD correlated between TM and CP (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). In summary, numerous differences in hemodynamic and respiratory responses and in sympathetic nervous activation were observed in the 3 tests. When the 3 tests are undertaken, careful attention should be paid for their characteristics, discrepancies and limitations.

Adult↗

[The functional significance of coronary collateral circulation during sudden coronary occlusion].

The functional significance of the coronary collateral circulation remains controversial. It has been suggested that collateral circulation possibly helps prevent myocardial ischemia. Seventeen target lesions in 15 patients were studied to determine the relationship between the extent of the coronary collateral circulation and the degree of ventricular dysfunction during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). During the first balloon inflation, diastolic indices such as left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, max negative dP/dt and the time constant of early relaxation were measured immediately before and at 60 sec following balloon inflation. During the second inflation, the contralateral and ipsilateral collateral circulations were evaluated. The latter was graded as follows: 0 = none; I = filling of side branches only; II = partial filling of the epicardial segment; and III = complete filling of the epicardial segment. Following balloon inflation, a significant increase was noted in the time constant of early relaxation in patients with grade 0 collateral circulation (40 +/- 7 to 47 +/- 7 msec: p < 0.01) and grade II collateral circulation (52 +/- 12 to 56 +/- 13 msec: p < 0.05). The percent increase in the time constant of early relaxation of patients with grade 0 and I collateral circulations exceeded that of patients with grade II (p < 0.05) or grade III collateral circulation (p < 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was elevated in all groups during PTCA. There was no significant difference in the percent increase of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) between the 4 groups. However, LVEDP before PTCA was higher in patients with grade III collateral circulation than in patients in the other groups. Max negative dP/dt did not change significantly in any group. In conclusion, collateral circulation helps prevent myocardial ischemia during acute coronary occlusion, which is most precisely shown by the time constant of early relaxation. The degree of this protective function of collateral circulation seems to vary.

Aged↗

[Distribution of myocardial damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: evaluation by exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy].

The characteristic of myocardial damage in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was evaluated as to whether the damage is limited to the hypertrophied wall or extends throughout the entire wall. The myocardial damage was detected by exercise thallium-201 (Tl-201) scintigraphy and was evaluated using circumferential profile analysis, calculation of initial uptake and washout rate. Eleven patients with asymmetrical hypertrophy (ASH), whose septal and posterior wall thickness ratio exceeded 1.3 on left ventriculography and biventriculography, and 13 age-matched control subjects without heart disease were studied. The mean values of initial uptake in both groups did not differ significantly, but the washout rate for the entire heart was significantly decreased only in the HCM group (p < 0.05). All of the regional washout rates (antero-septal, apical and postero-lateral) were significantly decreased in the HCM group (p < 0.05), without any difference between the hypertrophied wall and the non-thickened free wall being noted. These results demonstrated that the analysis of myocardial damage by exercise Tl-201 scintigraphy using calculation of the washout rate is a very sensitive means of detecting myocardial damage in HCM, and that such myocardial damage is not restricted to the hypertrophied wall, but rather extends to the entire wall, including the free wall which is not thickened.

Aged↗

[Rat brain concentrations of monoamines and their metabolites after chronic administration of diazepam and tandospirone].

Tandospirone has been reported as a serotonergic antianxiety drug with a different pharmacological mechanism from benzodiazepines. In the present study, the brain concentrations of monoamines and their metabolites were measured, comparing control rats and two groups of rats which were given tandospirone (10 mg/kg, ip) and diazepam (5 mg/kg, ip) each for 14 days. After sacrifice, brains of all animals were cut and divided into three portions, i.e. the cortex (COR), cerebellum (CER) and subcortical structures and brain stem (SS & BS). The concentrations of COR and SS & BS were measured using a Neurochemicalanalyzer (NCA, ESA, Inc., USA) with a reverse-phase column (Neurocolumn, Niko Bioscience Inc.). In the COR, 3-O-MDOPA (3-O-methyldopa) increased in the tandospirone group. In the SS & BS, 3-O-MDOPA increased in the diazepam and tandospirone groups. 5HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and HVA (homovanillic acid) decreased in the tandospirone group.

Animals↗

[Treatment of hemobilia after percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD)].

PTCD was performed in 206 of our patients during the past 6 years and 7 months. Of the 206, hemobilia occurred in 14 patients (6.8%). The hemorrhage was completely stopped by irrigation of the bile duct in 3 patients, compression with a larger catheter in 7 patients, and transcatheter anterior embolization (TAE) in 4 patients. TAE was performed on the patients whose hemobilia could not controlled by the compression with a larger catheter. In TAE, either a steel coil or a sponge was used as an embolus. Rebleeding occurred in one patients for whom the right hepatic artery was chosen as a embolization site. Therefore, it was decided that the embolization was going to be done in all the hepatic arteries when the blood stream in the portal vein and preserved functions of the liver of the subjected patients including the one with rebleeding were fully normal. A complete control of the hemorrhage was obtained in all patients. The PTCD root caused hemobilia was removed after TAE in considering the possibility of rebleeding from the root, and a new PTCD root was made.

Aged↗