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Biomedical subjects

M Uchida

Publications and source records attributed to M Uchida.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Primary progressive aphasia presenting as conduction aphasia.

We report a case of a woman with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) who presented with conduction aphasia. A 60-year-old, right-handed, Japanese female suffering from progressive aphasia had difficulty in repeating words and phrases. She displayed phonemic paraphasias but had preserved comprehension and had no cognitive or behavior disorder for more than 6 years after the onset of the condition. She was able to continue to work successfully and to perform all her normal daily activities. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed minute dilatation of the left inferior horn and sulci in the left hemisphere, and positron emission tomography revealed mild hypometabolism in the left supramarginal gyrus and its surrounding areas. Therefore, she was diagnosed as suffering from PPA presenting as conduction aphasia. We believe that the progressive conduction aphasia of the patient belongs to one of the fluent forms of PPA, and the ability to continue normal work along with the clinical portrayal of preserved memory and cognition skills may be features of a form of PPA presenting as conduction aphasia.

Aphasia, Conduction↗
PubMed1999

Gender of demented patients and specific family relationship of caregiver to patients influence mental fatigue and burdens on relatives as caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: To survey the burden and psychological problems of family caregivers of demented people. DESIGN: All scores were compared according to gender of the demented patients and which family members were the caregivers. SETTING: Outpatients clinic at the university hospital and the day service system for the elderly. PATIENTS: Sixty-two demented patients living at home and family members acting as caregivers. MEASURES: Cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL) and behaviour of demented patients were rated using the Hasegawa scale, the ADL scale and the dementia behaviour disturbance (DBD) scale. Caregiver's burden and mental fatigue were rated using a burden scale and a general health questionnaire (GHQ). RESULTS: Caregiver burden correlated negatively with the Hasegawa score and positively with the GHQ and DBD scores. Caregiver burden, GHQ and DBD for male patients were significantly higher than for females. Little difference was evident for caregiver burden scale or patient DBD between spouses and offspring as caregiver, but the GHQ score for spouses was significantly worse than that for offspring. CONCLUSIONS: The difficulty of caregivers in supporting the daily life of demented family members correlated with patients' cognitive impairment, abnormal behaviour and ADL status, and caregivers' difficulty resulted in mental fatigue. Caregivers' relative isolation from friends, attributable to their caregiving responsibility, did not correlate with the demented person's cognitive impairment or ADL status.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Kainic and domoic acids differentially affect NADPH-diaphorase neurons in the mouse hippocampal formation.

We investigated changes in numbers of nitric-oxide-producing cells in the hippocampal formation, striatum, and temporal cortex of mice 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid (5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg) or domoic acid (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg). Nitric-oxide-producing cells were demonstrated histochemically by staining for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase-positive neurons in the dentate gyrus and the subiculum did not change in number following administration of kainic acid or domoic acid at any dose. Positive neurons in the CA3 region of mice treated with kainic acid or domoic acid at any dose were significantly fewer than in controls. Although the numbers of positive neurons in the CA1/CA2 regions did not differ from those of controls at any of the four doses of kainic acid, positive cells in the CA1/CA2 were significantly more numerous than in controls at any dose of domoic acid. Although no significant differences in the numbers of positive neurons in the striatum were apparent between controls and any of the four doses of kainic acid, domoic acid significantly decreased the numbers of such cells. These results suggest that systemically administered kainic acid and domoic acid affect differentially nitric-oxide-producing cells in the hippocampal formation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A novel method to produce extensive gastric antral ulcer in rats: pharmacological factors involved in the etiology of antral ulceration.

Gastric antral area is the most susceptible region to gastric ulceration in man. However, only limited information is available on animal models. In the present paper, we have developed an improved method for inducing gastric antral ulcers by the administration of 1.0 M HCl after refeeding for 1 h in rats. On day 4, the severe ulcer was found covering extensively the whole area of the antrum, and penetrated through the muscularis mucosae. The incidence of ulceration was 100% and the mean ulcer index was 37.1 +/- 16.6 mm2. In contrast, none of the erosive lesions were observed in the corpus area. Before 24 h, only slight hyperemia was observed in the antral region, suggesting that some submucosal mechanisms are involved in the ulceration processes other than the direct erosive action of HCl on the mucosal surface. Additional treatment with diethyldithiocarbamate (125 mg x kg(-1), s.c.), superoxide dismutase inhibitor, significantly aggravated this antral ulcer, and the ulcer index was 66.0 +/- 13.6 mm2. Allopurinol (50 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) significantly prevented ulcer formation induced by HCl plus DDC. GSH (150 mg x kg(-1), i.p.) also markedly prevented the ulceration. However, DMSO (0.5%, 5 mL x kg(-1), p.o.) was found not to affect ulcer formation. Famotidine (20 mg x kg(-1), p.o.) almost completely inhibited ulcer formation. From the above results, it was concluded that gastric antral ulcer can be induced by the simple treatment of 1.0 M HCl in refed rats, and the antrum has a different defensive mechanism from that in the corpus area. In addition. oxygen derived radicals, especially superoxide anion and endogenous acid secretion were found to be involved in the etiology of the aggravation of the gastric antral ulcer induced by DDC.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Expression of metalloproteinase-13 (Collagenase-3) is induced during fracture healing in mice.

In fracture healing, a large amount of cartilage is formed, then rapidly replaced by osseous tissue. This process requires the transition of extracellular matrix component from type II to type I collagen. We investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), which has a high potential to cleave type II as well as type I collagen, during fracture repair in mouse ribs. In situ hybridization demonstrated that MMP-13 mRNA was present throughout the healing process. It was detected in the cells of the periosteum at day 1. As fracture callus grew, strong MMP-13 mRNA signals were detected in cells of the cartilaginous callus. In the reparative and remodeling phases, both hypertrophic chondrocytes and immature osteoblastic cells in the fracture callus expressed MMP-13 mRNA strongly. These cells were located adjacent to tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts at the sites of cartilage/bone transition. In osteoclasts, MMP-13 expression was not detected. The level of MMP-13 mRNA peaked at day 14 postfracture by northern blotting. Immunohistochemical staining showed that MMP-13 was detected primarily in hypertrophic chondrocytes. These results indicate that MMP-13 is induced during fracture healing. The site- and cell-specific expression of MMP-13 and its enzymatic property suggest that MMP-13 initiates the degradation of cartilage matrix, resulting in resorption and remodeling of the callus. In conclusion, MMP-13 plays an important role in the healing process of fractured bone in mice.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

Diminution of 37-kDa laminin binding protein expression reduces tumour formation of murine lung cancer cells.

Expression of the 37-kDa laminin binding protein (37LBP/p40), a precursor of the 67-kDa laminin receptor, is well-correlated with the biological aggressiveness of cancer cells. To elucidate the direct role played by 37LBP/p40 in cancer cells, a murine lung cancer cell line T11, the 37LBP/p40 expression of which was remarkably diminished, was established by the introduction of the antisense 37LBP/p40-RNA using a retroviral vector. As a result, the population doubling time of T11 was prolonged (60 h) compared with that of P29, the non-transfected parental cell line (42 h), and TN2, a transfectant with vehicle only (40 h). In-vitro studies also showed that T11 cells adhered to immobilized laminin less firmly than P29 cells did. When 5 x 10(5) cells were subcutaneously inoculated into syngenic mice, the mean survival time of T11-recipients (77.0+/-14.8 days) was also significantly prolonged compared with that for P29 (34.8+/-5.5 days) and TN2 (36.7+/-6.1 days) recipients (P < 0.001). The electron-microscopic view of the tumour tissue revealed that T11 cells were loosely apposed and their intercellular space was markedly widened. Some of the T11 cells sporadically degenerated with the infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils. These results suggest that the suppressed expression of 37LBP/p40 reduces the capability of lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumour formation in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Binding affinity of N-glycans for aromatic amino acid residues: implications for novel interactions between N-glycans and proteins.

This study advances direct evidence of the binding affinity of N-glycans for aromatic amino acid residues. The intrinsic fluorescence intensities of bovine pancreatic RNase A, bovine alpha-lactalbumin, and aromatic amino acids were markedly depressed in solutions (1 mM or so) of free N-glycans of both the high-mannose and complex types. In addition, free N-glycans inhibited the chemical modifications of the solvent-exposed tyrosine and tryptophan residues of these proteins, confirming the affinity of N-glycans for aromatic amino acid residues. The results are discussed in connection with the roles of N-glycans in novel interactions between N-glycans and proteins.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1999

[Three children with systemic cat scratch disease].

Three girls with systemic cat scratch disease, aged 10, 13 and 9 years, were reported. They presented a prolonged fever and back pain in the early stage of the disease, and had no regional lymphadenopathy. Two of them had hepatosplenic granulomas, one with multiple 5 mm hypoechoic lesions in the liver and spleen, and the other with a single 2.5 cm hypodense lesion in the left hepatic lobe. The latter patient underwent a partial left hepatic lobectomy. All patients had elevated titers of antibodies to Bartonella henselae. Polymerase chain reaction detected B. henselae DNA in tissue specimens of the patient who underwent a hepatic lobectomy. Cat scratch disease should be recognized as a cause of fever of unknown origin because the prevalence of B henselae infection might be higher in Japan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Pre-surgical localization of ectopic parathyroid glands using three-dimensional CT imaging, 99Tcm sestamibi, and 99Tcm tetrofosmin imaging.

We describe two patients with ectopic parathyroid glands evaluated with 99Tcm sestamibi, 99Tcm tetrofosmin, and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). Radionuclide images of the neck were acquired at 10 min, and at 2-3 h after radiopharmaceutical injection, and showed intense uptake in the ectopic parathyroid tissue. These patients also underwent contrast enhanced CT imaging with 3D reconstructions which were evaluated for ability to visualize critical anatomical structures, e.g. blood vessels and parathyroid glands. Based on 3D-CT images, surgical planning was altered in one of the two patients studied. In conclusion, reconstructed 3D-CT images provided useful anatomical localization of ectopic parathyroid glands identified on 99Tcm sestamibi and 99Tcm tetrofosmin imaging. This anatomical information aided surgical planning of gland resection.

Choristoma↗
PubMed1999

Genetic analysis of a dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy family: relevance to apparent sporadic cases.

Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is associated with an unstable CAG trinucleotide sequence. We describe a DRPLA family whose members have an allele containing an expanded CAG repeat, even in an elderly neurologically normal individual. The proband developed DRPLA at age 14. She was initially considered a sporadic case, but later her sister became symptomatic. Investigation of the number of CAG repeat units in her family revealed the 81-year-old father to have an expanded CAG repeat of 51 units. To our knowledge, such an advanced aged unaffected patient has not been previously documented. The present example may explain apparent sporadic cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Sensory receptors on oral thickness sensation].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the receptors connected with oral thickness perception. Twenty dentate volunteers participated in this study. The right second premolars were selected as test teeth. The thickness perception test was performed using aluminum foil. The experimental conditions were: 1) two types of occlusal contact positions; intercuspal position and teeth contact position of a single pair, 2) two types of closing velocities: "slow closure" and "fast closure" which were synchronized with 50 and 150/min metronome, and 3) application of local anesthesia to test teeth. The number of incorrect assessments for all trials and the proportion of correct assessments for actual trials were used for analysis. There were significant increases of incorrect assessments below 200 microns in "slow closure" at teeth contact position of a single pair. The minimum thickness of 80% of correct assessment was 100 microns both with and without anesthesia in "fast closure" at teeth contact position of a single pair. There were significantly fewer incorrect assessments in "fast closure" than in "slow closure" with anesthesia at teeth contact position of a single pair. These findings suggest that the closing velocity may influence oral thickness perception.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Leiomyoma of the scrotum: a case report].

A case of intrascrotal leiomyoma is reported. A 62-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of a painless intrascrotal mass, which had been gradually increasing in size during the past 25 years. Physical examination revealed impervious to light and elastic firm mass of 5 cm in diameter in the left scrotum. Although the serum level of some tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin-beta were normal, since the border on the left testis was unclear on the ultrasonogram of the scrotum, a testicular tumor was suspected, and radical orchiectomy was performed. The tumor was 6 x 4 x 4 cm, 55 g, and well-defined with testis, epididymis and tunica dartos. It was histopathologically diagnosed as leiomyoma arising from the tunica vaginalis. The post operative course has been uneventful for 9 months after the surgery, and no recurrence has been recognized. An intrascrotal tumor is relatively rare, and is generally defined as one arising between tunica dartos and tunica vaginalis testis, which is independent of testis, epididymis, and funiculus spermaticus. This is the 25th case of intrascrotal leiomyoma reported in the literature in Japan.

Genital Neoplasms, Male↗
PubMed1999

Functional analysis of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in Drosophila melanogaster.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is conserved in eukaryotes. To analyze the function of PARP, we isolated and characterized the gene for PARP in Drosophila melanogaster. The PARP gene consisted of six translatable exons and spanned more than 50 kb. The DNA binding domain is encoded by exons 1-4. Although the consensus cleavage site of CED-3 like protease during apoptosis is conserved from human to Xenopus laevis PARPs, it is neither conserved in the corresponding region of Drosophila nor Sarcophaga peregrina. There are two cDNAs species in Drosophila. One cDNA could encode the full length PARP protein (PARP I), while the other is a truncated cDNA which could encode a partial-length PARP protein (PARP II), which lacks the automodification domain and is possibly produced by alternative splicing. The expression of these two forms of PARP in E. coli demonstrated that while PARP II has the catalytic NAD-binding domain and DNA-binding domain it is enzymatically inactive. On the other hand PARP I is active. A deletion mutant of PARP gene could grow to the end of embryogenesis but did not grow to the adult fly. These results suggest that the PARP gene plays an important function during the development of Drosophila.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Primary pulmonary cryptococcosis confused with lung cancer by transbronchial biopsy: demonstration by three-dimensional computed tomography].

Routine chest radiographs of a 52-year-old woman displayed abnormal opacities in the right lower lung field. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the chest disclosed irregular nodular opacities in the peripheral zone of the right S6. Reconstructed three-dimensional images obtained by helical CT displayed the lesions as agglutinated small nodules, with other small nodules near the bronchi appearing as "tree-in-bud" formations. Specimens obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy of the right B6b revealed atypical glandular structures, thus leading to suspected adenocarcinoma of primary lung cancer. A right lower lobectomy was performed; cut-surface specimens of the resected tissues showed multiple lobulate, milky-white nodules near the bronchi. Histopathologic examination found no malignant cells. PAS staining revealed numerous cryptococcal organisms, thus yielding the final diagnosis of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Changes in the fractal component of spectral analysis of heart rate variability and systolic blood pressure variability during the head-up tilt test].

Blood pressure and heart rate change are related to the level of physical activity, and are correlated with each other. Heart rate and blood pressure signals were investigated by coarse graining spectral analysis and changes in the harmonic and non-harmonic (fractal) power were examined during the head-up tilt test. Fourteen healthy subjects, 9 men and 5 women (mean age 30.4 +/- 1.0 years) completed the test protocol of 15 min supine rest followed by the head-up tilt (80 degrees) test. Heart rate was measured continuously with standard bipolar leads and electrocardiography. A finger cuff was placed on the left index finger for beat-by-beat recording of systolic blood pressure based on the continuous noninvasive method, and the impulse train was stored on a personal computer for spectral analysis. The harmonic component, the integrated powers in the low-frequency and high-frequency regions, and the fractal component were then calculated. The fractal component was plotted on a log power versus log frequency plane with spectral index beta estimated as the slope of the linear regression of this 1/f beta plot. RR-interval was significantly shorter during the head-up tilt position than in the supine rest position with a marked reduction in the high-frequency power. The ratio of fractal component for total power was increased and the slope beta of the 1/f beta relationship was significantly greater in the head-up tilt (1.61 +/- 0.05) than in the supine rest (0.92 +/- 0.07) position. Systolic blood pressure showed a significant increase during head-up tilt, and marked increases in high-frequency power and fractal power. However, both the ratio of fractal component for total power and the slope beta remained unchanged. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the slope beta is essentially stable or variable in some conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A novel function of Stat1 and Stat3 proteins in erythropoietin-induced erythroid differentiation of a human leukemia cell line.

We recently determined that erythropoietin (EPO) activates 3 members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family, Stat1alpha, Stat3, and Stat5, in the human EPO-dependent cell lines, UT-7 and UT-7/EPO (Kirito et al, J Biol Chem 272:16507, 1997). In addition, we have shown that Stat1alpha, but not Stat3, is involved in EPO-induced cellular proliferation. In this study, we examined the roles of Stat1alpha and Stat3 in EPO-induced erythroid differentiation. UT-7/GM was used as a model system, because this cell line can differentiate into erythroid-lineage cells with EPO treatment (Komatsu et al, Blood 89:4021, 1997). We found that EPO did not activate Stat1alpha or Stat3 in UT-7/GM cells. Transfection experiments showed that both Stat1alpha and Stat3 inhibited the induction by EPO of gamma-globin and erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthetase transcripts, resulting in a reduction of the percentage of hemoglobin-positive cells. Dominant negative forms of Stat1alpha or Stat3 promoted the EPO-induced erythroid differentiation of UT-7/GM cells, even in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, although this cytokine never induced erythroid differentiation of the parent UT-7/GM cells with or without EPO. A cell cycle analysis showed that the constitutive activation of Stat1alpha, but not Stat3, shortened the period of G0/G1 prolongation caused by EPO stimulation. Taken together, our data suggest that Stat1alpha and Stat3 act as negative regulators in EPO-induced erythroid differentiation. Specifically, Stat1alpha may activate a cell cycle-associated gene(s), leading to the entry of cells into the cell cycle.

Cell Differentiation↗