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Biomedical subjects

N Murakami

Publications and source records attributed to N Murakami.

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

Transforming growth factor-beta2 is elevated in skeletal muscle disorders.

The transforming growth factor betas (TGF-betas) are multifunctional growth factors that act on both fibroblasts and myosatellite cells. In rodent models of muscle diseases, high levels of TGF-beta2 are expressed by myogenic cells. We have examined whether the expression of TGF-beta2 is also elevated in diseased human muscles. The disorders examined were Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, myotubular myopathy, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The levels of TGF-beta2 immunoreactivity were elevated in atrophic, necrotic, and regenerating fibers and in fibers with central nuclei or cytoplasmic masses, irrespective of whether fibrosis was present. We therefore suggest that TGF-beta2 is important for muscle repair and that the presence of a TGF-beta within a muscle only leads to fibrosis if certain other factors are present.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1999

Presymptomatic detection and treatment of Japanese carriers of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A gene.

DNA extracted from the peripheral blood leukocytes of 36 members of five families with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2A was analyzed for mutations of exons 10, 11, 13, 14, and 16 of the RET proto-oncogene by nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and automated DNA sequencing. Germline mutations were found in all 9 of the affected individuals and in 6 of the 27 individuals of unknown status. A 70-year-old man who had been completely asymptomatic before genetic diagnosis underwent left adrenalectomy and total thyroidectomy, and was found to have pheochromocytoma and multifocal micromedullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). A 32-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy, with elevated calcitonin levels detected by the C-cell-stimulation test, but no evident thyroid tumor, underwent total thyroidectomy. Histopathological diagnosis revealed multiple micro MTCs. A 7-year-old girl without evidence of a thyroid tumor or an elevated calcitonin level is being followed up. The remaining two subjects with an evident thyroid tumor and elevated calcitonin levels refused surgery. These results suggest that genetic screening for MEN type 2 afflicted family members can facilitate the presymptomatic detection of gene carriers. Thus, we must carefully evaluate whether immediate prophylactic total thyroidectomy is indicated for gene carriers of MEN 2A without an evident thyroid tumor or elevated calcitonin levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Parkinsonism-dementia complex on Guam - overview of clinical aspects.

Parkinsonism-dementia complex (PDC) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in Guam, after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). PDC was first described by Hirano 1961. A familial appearance is seen among some PDC cases, which may also include ALS, and vice versa, but subsequent research including pedigree analysis, prospective case control registries, and the search for specific gene markers has failed to yield a satisfactory genetic explanation. Important diagnostic indicators of the illness include rigido-akinetic type Parkinsonism and severe dementia.In PDC, rigidity is so marked that postural deformities such as a generally flexed posture become rather prominent. Gait disturbances are a common initial symptom. Hyperreflexia and spinal muscular atrophy, developing mainly in the distal extremities, are frequently observed. These mixed-syndrome patients can be seen as clear support for the view that Guam ALS and PDC constitute a single mixed disease entity with a spectrum of clinical expression. The present paper offers an overview and description of the clinical features of PDC.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1999

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy at the anterior fontanelle.

We describe a 4-month-old girl presenting with a melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy at the anterior fontanelle. According to the neuroimaging findings, this tumour was found to lie epidurally, adherent to the dura mater, with thickening of the adjacent frontal bone. The tumour was dense on CT, while MRI showed a major part of the tumour to be isointense with cerebral cortex on both T1- and T2-weighted images. The neuroimaging and clinical features are briefly discussed.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMed1999

Peroneal nerve palsy caused by intraneural ganglion.

A case of peroneal nerve palsy caused by an intraneural ganglion is presented. The cystic mass was located posterolateral to the lateral femoral condyle and extended along the common peroneal nerve distal to the origin of the peroneus longus muscle. The nerve was compressed in the narrow fibro-osseous tunnel against the fibula neck and the tight origin of the peroneus longus muscle. The nerve was decompressed by complete tumor excision and transection of the origin of the peroneus longus muscle. Full recovery of nerve function was obtained in 6 months.

Cysts↗
PubMed1999

Combining steady-state constructive interference and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the surgical treatment of epidermoid tumors.

We describe the usefulness of three-dimensional Fourier transformation-constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of intracranial epidermoid tumors. Two surgically proven epidermoid tumors in the cerebellopontine (CP) angle were not identified in conventional T1- and T2-weighted images because of a signal intensity similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CISS images clearly demonstrated displacement of the cranial nerves and a shift caused by a lesion in the cistern, but the signal intensity of the tumor by CISS was not sufficiently different from that of CSF to demonstrate the tumor directly. Using DWI, the tumor in the cistern was shown clearly by its increased signal intensity. Together, CISS and DWI compensated for each other's disadvantages, and this combination was useful in guiding surgical treatment of epidermoid tumors in the CP cistern.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Establishment of a double Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia-derived cell line, TMD5: effects of cytokines and differentiation inducers on growth of the cells.

A double Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive leukemia cell line with common-B cell phenotype, designated TMD5, was established from the blast cells of a patient with double Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. TMD5 cells expressed 190 kDa BCR/ABL chimeric protein and 145 kDa ABL protein. The cells proliferated without added growth factors. Autocrine growth mechanism was not recognized. The addition of growth factors such as G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6, or Stem Cell Factor did not affect the growth. Herbimycin A suppressed the growth of TMD5 cells at the low concentration that did not affect Ph-negative cells. It suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins in TMD5 cells. Dexamethasone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP also suppressed the growth. They, however, did not affect the phosphorylation significantly. Neither all-trans retinoic acid nor interferon-alpha affected the growth. TMD5 cells, characterized minutely here and rare in that they have double Ph chromosomes, will be a useful tool for the study of Ph-positive leukemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Scaphoid nonunion and flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture.

Four patients presented with a rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon that was associated with a longstanding scaphoid nonunion. A radiocarpal arthrosis was present in 3 of the 4 patients and a dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability deformity was also seen in 3 of the 4 patients. Three patients underwent surgery consisting of an osteosynthesis with an iliac bone graft for the scaphoid nonunion and a palmaris longus tendon graft for the ruptured flexor pollicis longus tendon. An osseous union of the scaphoid and a functional active range of motion of the thumb interphalangeal joint (33 degrees on average) was attained in all 3 of the patients treated surgically. Preoperative radiologic examinations and intraoperative findings suggest that the volarly protruding distal scaphoid segment is the cause of the rupture.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Postoperative tetany in Graves disease: important role of vitamin D metabolites.

OBJECTIVE: To test the authors' hypothesis of the causal mechanism(s) of postoperative tetany in patients with Graves disease. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies by the authors suggested that postoperative tetany in patients with Graves disease occurs during the period of bone restoration and resulted from continuation of a calcium flux into bone concomitant with transient hypoparathyroidism induced by surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out to investigate sequential changes in serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium and other electrolytes, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), and bone metabolic markers in 109 consecutive patients with Graves disease who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Preoperative serum iPTH levels negatively correlated with ionized calcium levels and positively correlated with 1,25(OH)2D or 1,25(OH)2D/25OHD. After the operation, there was a significant decline in levels of ionized calcium, magnesium, and iPTH. Serum iPTH was not detected in 15 patients after surgery. Four of these 15 patients, and 1 patient whose iPTH level was below normal, developed tetany. Preoperative serum ionized calcium levels were significantly lower, and iPTH levels were higher, in the 5 patients with tetany than in the 11 patients who did not develop tetany despite undetectable iPTH levels. The tetany group had significantly lower serum 25OHD levels and higher 1,25(OH)2D levels, and had increased 1,25(OH)2D/25OHD as an index of the renal 25OHD-1-hydroxylase activity than those in the nontetany group. These results suggest that patients with a high serum level of iPTH as a result of low serum calcium levels (secondary hyperparathyroidism) are susceptible to tetany under conditions of hypoparathyroid function after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative tetany occurs in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by a relative deficiency in calcium and vitamin D because of their increased demand for bone restoration after preoperative medical therapy concomitant with transient hypoparathyroidism after surgery. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be recommended before and/or after surgery for patients in whom postoperative tetany is expected to develop.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Potential utility of magnetic resonance cholangiography in the management of endoscopic biliary drainage tubes.

An 80-yr-old woman with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent a placement of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) tube from the common hepatic to common bile duct through the stricture. Magnetic resonance cholangiography clearly demonstrated the later dislocation and obstruction of the EBD tube. The present case suggests that magnetic resonance cholangiography may be a potentially useful tool in the management of EBD tubes.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Effect of a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (M-5011) on cytokine levels in rats with monosodium urate crystal- induced pleurisy.

We evaluated the effects of a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), d-2-[4-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)phenyl]propionic acid (M-5011), and indomethacin on the production of arachidonate metabolites and pro-inflammatory cytokines in male Sprague-Dawley rats with monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced pleurisy. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 in the pleural exudate were determined by biological assays, while prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and cytokine-induced chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) levels were quantified by enzyme immunoassays. Orally administered M-5011 (5 mg/kg) decreased the pleural exudate volume at 3 and 4 hr after MSU injection. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) decreased the volume at 3-5 hr. These drugs reduced the number of leukocytes in the pleural cavity at 6 hr. Both NSAIDs also reduced the content of PGE2 in the exudate without affecting LTB4 levels. Increased productions of both IL-6 and CINC-1 in the exudate were reduced by pretreatment with M-5011 or indomethacin, and TNF levels in the exudate were increased by pretreatment of these drugs. Thus, M-5011 inhibits the production of both IL-6 and CINC-1 at lower doses than those of indomethacin, and the inhibitory effect of M-5011 on CINC-1, but not IL-6, may partly contribute to the inhibition of leukocyte infiltration in rats with MSU-induced pleurisy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Non-purulent meningoencephalomyelitis of a Pacific striped dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). The first evidence of morbillivirus infection in a dolphin at the Pacific Ocean around Japan.

On March 22, 1998, a mature, male, hyposthenic Pacific striped dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) was stranded at Aoshima Beach in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. A necropsy performed 14 hr after death revealed mild diffuse congestion and edema of the leptomeninges and mild pulmonary atelectasis. Histopathologically, non-purulent inflammatory were observed throughout the cerebrum, thalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord. Hematoxylin and eosin stain revealed no viral inclusion bodies. Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody against nucleoprotein of canine distemper virus (CDV-NP) revealed a number of CDV-NP-positive granular deposits in the cytoplasm and cell processes of the degenerating or intact neurons. The present paper is a first report of spontaneously occurred morbillivirus infection in a dolphin at the Pacific Ocean around Japan.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Factors affecting the harem formation process by young Misaki feral stallions.

For the past 12 years, a study was conducted in the Misaki area (southern Kyushu Island, Japan) to investigate young males form new harems, how they acquire the mares and the factors affecting the process of new harem formation. Young males formed new harems between the ages of 3.8 and 7.6 yr, and 93% of these new harem groups were formed at the beginning of the breeding season. The most common way (87%) for young males to form a new harem was by acquiring wandering mares which had separated from their groups, whereas 13% stole unstable mares from established bands. The fact that all young males obtained harems the new at an early age, with an average age of 5.2 yr (n = 15) could be explained high female biased sex ratio (3:1), and great number of wandering mares per stallion (2.5:1). At the time new harem groups were formed, aggression, fighting or such behavior as active herding or driving mares was not observed among stallions because the "unstable" mares were most likely to be abducted by stallions.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Histopathological findings of the lower esophagus after total gastrectomy in rat.

It is now accepted that the incidence of esophageal carcinoma is highest in the middle thoracic region. Esophageal carcinoma after gastrectomy, however, has a tendency to develop in the lower region. This study was designed to investigate the role of reflux of gastroduodenal juice in the genesis of carcinoma in the esophagus. We found a possible correlation between the development of esophageal carcinoma and gastrectomy, related to alkaline reflux into the esophagus. To elucidate this correlation, the role of alkaline reflux of duodenal contents in the development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was investigated in Wister rats. Gastrectomized rats with regurgitation of duodenal contents into the esophagus were not administered any carcinogen and were sacrificed some at the end of 8 weeks and others at 50 weeks for pathological examination. Hyperplasia was found in rats at 8 weeks, and the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was found in rats at 50 weeks. The carcinomas were found exclusively in the area of the reflux esophagitis and were accompanied by severe dysplasia. These results suggested that alkaline reflux of duodenal contents was strongly correlated to the development of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Submucosal gastric cancer with lymph node metastasis--a clinicopathological study.

We have reviewed the clinicopathological features of submucosal gastric cancer with lymph node metastasis. The degree of vertical submucosal infiltration was classified into three stages as sm1, sm2 or sm3. The number of cases with lymph node metastasis of sm3 was significantly more than that of sm1 or sm2. We found no correlation between the tumor size and the rate of lymph node metastasis from submucosal invasive cancer. Accordingly, we concluded that the vertical submucosal infiltration was a more important factor for lymph node metastasis than horizontal infiltration. Minimal invasive surgery was recommended for a tumor measuring 1 cm or less in size with vertical submucosal invasion of sm1 or sm2.

Gastric Mucosa↗
PubMed1999

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with Toxoplasma encephalitis].

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to fever and systemic lymph-node swelling on June 9, 1998. He was given a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (diffuse mixed T cell lymphoma) with involvement of mediastinum and para-aortic lymph nodes, pleura, peritoneum, and bone marrow. After diagnosis, combined chemotherapy (CHOP regimen) was started. On day 11, the patient's consciusness level suddenly deteriorated. A brain computed tomographic scan showed no abnormal findings. A cytospin smear of cerebrospinal fluid disclosed tachyzoides (Toxoplasmic bodies), thus yielding a diagnosis of Toxoplasma encephalitis. Oral sulfadoxine pyrimethamine rapidly alleviated the patient's consciousness disturbance. One month later, a cytospin smear and RT-PCR analysis of cerebrospinal fluid detected no tachyzoides. Complete remission of lymphoma was achieved after 2 courses of CHOP therapy. Toxoplasma encephalitis should be considered a potential cause of consciousness disturbance in immunocompromised hosts, such as patients with malignant lymphoma. Cytospin smears of cerebrospinal fluid are a useful tool for the early diagnosis of Toxoplasma encephalitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[A sporadic case of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 A associated with a duplication in chromosome 17 p11.2-p12].

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is an autosomal dominant demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Most patients with CMT1A including sporadic cases have been found to have a 1.5 megabase tandem DNA duplication in chromosome 17 p11.2-p12 (CMT1A duplication). We reported a 7-year-old girl with sporadic CMT 1 associated with the CMT1A duplication. The diagnosis of CMT 1 was based on the symmetrical distal muscle weakness, per cavus deformity, reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, and segmental de- and remyelinatin on sural nerve biopsy. To detect the CMT 1A duplication, peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP-22) cDNA and a polymorphic marker in this region, VAW409 R3, were employed as probes for Southern blot analysis. Sporadic cases of autosomal dominant-CMT type 1 can not be clinically differentiated from recessive-CMT1. Testing for the CMT1A duplication is an important first step even in the molecular diagnosis of sporadic CMT1.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗