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Biomedical subjects

N Ohkoshi

Publications and source records attributed to N Ohkoshi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Mononeuropathy multiplex in a patient receiving interferon alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C].

We report a case of mononeuropathy multiplex due to interferon alpha (IFN alpha) therapy for chronic hepatitis C. A 61-year-old man received IFN alpha (natural type 6 x 10(6) IU), every day for two weeks and three times a week for 22 weeks by intramuscular injection. Seventeen weeks after the initiation of IFN alpha therapy, he noticed painful dysesthesia, muscle weakness and muscular atrophy of the left lower extremity. Neurological examination revealed weakness of the left iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris and femoral adductor muscles, hypesthesia and dysesthesia. Electromyogram showed neuropathic change in the left vastus lateralis muscle. Muscle computed tomography showed muscular atrophy of the left lower extremity. Two months after discontinuation of the IFN alpha therapy, dysesthesia and muscle weakness of the left lower extremity improved spontaneously. He was diagnosed as mononeuropathy multiplex of the left femoral nerve and obturator nerve caused by IFN alpha therapy. Attention must be paid to dysesthesia, muscle weakness and muscular atrophy when IFN alpha therapy is initiated.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1995

[Marked clinical improvement by plasmapheresis in a patient with stiff-man syndrome: a case with a negative anti-GAD antibody].

We described a 56-year-old man with stiff-man syndrome, who was markedly improved after plasmapheresis therapy. He had a 12-year history of progressive painful stiffness of his back and limbs, muscle cramps and difficulty in walking. He had been taking oral diazepam and prednisolone. On examination the abdominal and paraspinal muscles and limbs were continuously contracting, confirmed by surface and needle electromyography. Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and pancreatic islet cells in the serum were negative, but antinuclear antibody and anti-smooth-muscle antibody were present. The patient underwent a course of 4 double filtration plasma exchanges of 3,000 ml each in an 8-day period. Plasmapheresis resulted in marked clinical improvement. The disappearance of muscular cramps and a reduction of stiffness occurred within 24 hours after the first plasmapheresis, and he was able to walk unassisted. The patient's subjective improvement continued over 4 months after the plasma exchange. This case provides additional evidence of the autoimmune mechanism of stiff-man syndrome. Plasmapheresis is one choice in the management for stiff-man syndrome.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1994

Clinical evaluation of plasma exchange and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin in a patient with Isaacs' syndrome.

The clinical effects of plasma exchange and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were evaluated in a 41 year old woman with Isaacs' syndrome. After double filtration plasma exchange, symptoms almost disappeared for two to three weeks and the recorded continuous muscle action potentials were considerably decreased. Symptoms recurred within a few months. On the other hand, IVIg worsened the symptoms of the disorder: during and after IVIg at a dose of 0.2 g/kg/day (total 50 g), widespread myokymia, pseudomyotonia, and muscle cramps gradually increased. Symptoms improved after another course of plasma exchange.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1994

Wernicke's encephalopathy induced by hyperemesis gravidarum, associated with bilateral caudate lesions on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

The case of an 18-year-old woman with Wernicke's encephalopathy induced by hyperemesis gravidarum is reported. She had severe vomiting and received antiemetic therapy and intravenous administration of glucose and low-dose insulin solution without thiamine. She developed coma, nystagmus, ataxia and polyneuropathy. CT and MR imaging showed bilateral caudate lesions as well as symmetrical periventricular lesions of the thalamus and hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray matter. Caudate lesions are quite rare in Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Abortion, Missed↗
PubMed1994

[Syndrome of contracture facio-brachio-abdomino-crurale en flexion in a case of isolated ACTH deficiency--biopsy findings of muscle and nerve].

A 55-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of painful muscle cramps and progressive flexion contractures of the arms, pelvic girdles and knees. Laboratory evaluation was summarized as follows: low plasma cortisol and ACTH levels, delayed response of plasma cortisol to ACTH administration, no response of plasma ACTH level to insulin administration, and normal plasma LH, FSH, GH, TSH and PRL levels. She was diagnosed as isolated ACTH deficiency. EMG was silent in contractured muscles at rest. Biopsy of the biceps femoris muscle revealed a marked reduction in fiber size, type 2 fiber atrophy and type 1 fiber predominance. The nerve conduction velocities of the peripheral nerves were found to be decreased. The biopsied specimen of the sural nerve revealed a loss of large myelinated fibers and segmental demyelination. Both flexion contractures and nerve conduction velocities were gradually improved with the replacement of hydrocortisone.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1992

Central nervous system changes in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy: light and electron microscopic study.

An autopsy case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is reported. It presented with generalized muscle atrophy, stroke-like episodes, schizophrenia-like mental disorder and progressive dementia. Serum lactate and pyruvate levels were high. In the biopsied muscles, ragged-red fibers were observed by light microscopy and aggregation of abnormal mitochondria with paracrystaline formation by electron microscopy. The most characteristic neuropathological findings were infarct-like lesions widespread in the cerebral cortex. In addition, this case showed some unusual pathological features: (1) diffuse moderate fibrillary gliosis in the whole cerebral and cerebellar white matter, which might have been due to metabolic disturbances; (2) several focal lesions with demyelination and numerous spheroids in the pontocerebellar fibers; and (3) marked degeneration of the posterior columns and spinocerebellar tracts. Electron microscopic examination revealed that abnormal mitochondria were markedly aggregated in smooth muscle cells and endothelium of the cerebral and cerebellar blood vessels. These fine structural findings suggest a "mitochondrial angiopathy".

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1992

Argentophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy.

Argentophilic intracytoplasmic glial inclusions were recently reported in olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy (OPCA). We examined the brains of 3 cases of OPCA [2 with striato-nigral degeneration (SND) and 1 without SND], 1 case of pure autonomic failure (PAF) without pathology of OPCA or SND, as well as 36 controls including 2 cases of Holmes' type cerebellar cortical atrophy and 2 cases of Joseph's disease. Although the inclusions were tubulin-positive, the immunoreactivity was different from that of the dendrites. Electron microscopically, the microtubular structures composing the inclusion were fuzzy with granular material. These findings may indicate that the microtubules composing the inclusions are modified. Inclusion-bearing cells appeared to be oligodendrocytes while many of them had larger and lighter nuclei than those of normal-looking oligodendrocytes without the inclusions. The inclusions were widely distributed in a characteristic fashion beyond the typical lesions of OPCA, SND and PAF. The distribution pattern was essentially the same in the case of PAF and 3 cases of OPCA irrespective of the presence or absence of OPCA or SND lesions. In contrast, argentophilic inclusions were not observed in other types of spinocerebellar degeneration, in Holmes' type cerebellar cortical atrophy or in Joseph's disease. It is suggested, in line with other studies, that the inclusion may be specific to OPCA and related disorders which include PAF and a useful marker to distinguish OPCA from other neurodegenerative diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Rapid axonal transport velocity is reduced in experimental ethylene oxide neuropathy.

Chronic exposure of rats to ethylene oxide (EO) causes distal axonal neuropathy of lumbosacral primary sensory neurons. To study the pathogenesis of this neuropathy, we measured rapid axonal transport in peripheral nerves. Rats were exposed for 6 h to 500 ppm EO in a chamber three times a wk for 15 wk. Rapid axonal transport and quantitative histological alterations of peripheral nerves were studied. After [35S]methionine injection into the dorsal root ganglion, the velocity of rapid anterograde axonal transport of radioisotope-labeled protein was measured. The velocity in the rats exposed to EO was 33% less than that in control rats exposed to filtered room air. However, histological differences were slight. Morphometric studies showed that in EO-exposed rats, only the distal portions of the sural nerve had significantly greater incidental degeneration of myelinated fibers than did controls. There were significantly fewer large myelinated fibers only in the distals peroneal nerve. Therefore, a decrease in the velocity of anterograde axonal transport, related to these slight histological abnormalities of the peripheral nerve, may play a causative role in the development of the distal axonal neuropathy owing to chronic EO exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[A case of citrullinemia associated with isolated ACTH deficiency, rapidly developing coma].

We report a 41-year-old male of citrullinemia associated with argininosuccinate acid synthetase deficiency. He was admitted to the Hitachi General Hospital because of finger tremor, restlessness and urinary incontinence. He had short stature and a poor appetite. Laboratory evaluation was summarized as follows: mild hypoglycemia, low plasma cortisol levels, delayed response of 17-OHCS and 17-KS to ACTH administration in urine, and delayed response of plasma ACTH level to insulin administration. In this case, ACTH deficiency is estimated to be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus. Replacement therapy of hydrocortisone improved his symptoms. He was readmitted to the hospital because of delirium and confusion, two weeks after the hydrocortisone administration. At that time, he had flapping tremor. Laboratory examination revealed hyperammonemia (NH3: 231 micrograms/dl) and mild elevation of GOT and GPT. Serum and urinary amino acid determination showed marked elevation of citrulline (478.1 nmol/ml in serum, 4681.2 mumol/day in urine). Lactulose administration, low protein diet and plasmapheresis were started, but he went into a coma. Without any improvement, he died on the 29th hospital day. Autopsy examination of the liver disclosed fatty change. Adrenal cortex depicted severe atrophy. Biochemical analysis of urea cycle enzymes of the liver and kidney showed decreased activity of argininosuccinate synthetase (liver: 0.0022 U/mg protein, 5% of that normal liver, kidney: 0.003 IU/mg protein, 20% of that in normal kidney). Citrullinemia associated with ACTH deficiency have not reported in the literature. It may be presumed that ACTH deficiency is concerned with the delayed onset of hyperammonemia. The relation between citrullinemia and endocrinological abnormalities is also discussed.

Adrenal Cortex↗
PubMed1992

[A case of distal myopathy with rimmed vacuole formation, progresses into proximal-dominant muscle involvement].

A case of 55-year-old male with distal myopathy with rimmed vacuole formation is reported. He first noticed dragging of his legs at the age of forty-three. Two years later, he was evaluated to have muscle wasting and weakness in lower legs. In another ten years, he became unable to stand or walk unaided. On physical examination, proximal limb muscles were more severely affected than distal limb muscles. Notably, muscle strength of the quadriceps femoris muscles were weak (MRC Scale 3/5), compared to hamstrings, tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscle (4/5). Serum creatine kinase, electromyography, nerve conduction velocities were all compatible with this diagnosis. A computed tomography of the musculoskeletal system was consistent with physical findings. Muscle biopsy revealed many fibers with typical rimmed vacuoles (approximately 6% of fibers). Additionally, small amount of ragged-red fibers (0.5%) was noted. Histochemical reaction showed a focal deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase. This case suggests that during the longstanding course of the illness, proximal limb muscles may be more severely affected, and quadriceps femoris muscle may be predominantly involved.

Cytochrome-c Oxidase Deficiency↗
PubMed1992

[Acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis--clinical investigation on our 6 cases].

Six cases of acute renal failure (ARF) due to rhabdomyolysis were experienced between 1984 and 1989. Patients' ages ranged from 33 to 92 years old (average ages 61) and all were male. The causes of rhabdomyolysis were as follows: one crush syndrome, one acute arterial occlusion, one diabetic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma and three cases of malignant syndrome due to neuroleptica (mainly haloperidol). Underlying diseases included, one case of abdominal aneurysm, two cases of diabetes mellitus, two cases of schizophrenia and one case of reactive psychosis. Dehydration was considered as an important factor in the onset of rhabdomyolysis and ARF, because it was observed in 4 of the cases in this study. In all cases, the serum levels of potassium, phosphorus and uric acid as well as myoglobin and myogenic enzymes increased markedly. In patients with myoglobinuric ARF, severe metabolic acidosis and hypocalcemia in the oliguric phase and hypercalcemia in the diuretic phase were prominent. Muscle biopsy showed myolytic degeneration in 2 of 4 cases. Five cases were treated with hemodialysis and one case was managed conservatively. All 6 cases had relatively good prognosis. However, 3 cases with malignant syndrome showed outcomes more severe than in the other 3 cases without such syndrome.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1991

Peripheral neuropathy of mitochondrial myopathies.

Peripheral neuropathy has attracted relatively little attention in mitochondrial myopathy. However, mitochondrial myopathies are clinically heterogeneous disorders that can affect multiple systems including peripheral nerves other than the skeletal muscle. In addition to the survey of the literature, we studied 6 cases of mitochondrial myopathy with peripheral neuropathy; 3 cases of oligo-systemic involvement confined mainly to skeletal muscles and peripheral nerves, and 3 cases of multi-systemic involvement diagnosed as myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) or mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). This study suggests that peripheral neuropathy may be relatively common and has similar clinical and laboratory features in a broad spectrum of mitochondrial myopathies. The clinical manifestation is usually of mild sensorimotor neuropathy with frequent subclinical involvement. Sensory disturbances are more evident than manifestations of motor neuropathy which is usually subclinical. It is also noteworthy that there exist some cases of oligo-systemic involvement, which present with peripheral neuropathy as main clinical manifestations. Electrophysiological findings include decreased nerve conduction velocities and neuropathic electromyograms. Peripheral nerves show loss of myelinated fibers, particularly of large ones, and the remaining fibers have disproportionately thin myelin sheaths with or without onion-bulb formation. Thus the pathological process is axonal degeneration with demyelination resulting from involvement of both neurons (axons) and Schwann cells.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1991

[A case of Garcin's syndrome caused by pachymeningitis secondary to otitis media, responsive to antibiotic therapy].

A 55-year-old woman noticed progressive hearing loss, earache and tinnitus in the left side in December 1988, followed by dysesthesia of the left face and hypogeusia. Those symptoms did not respond to the otological treatment of otitis media. In addition, the left eyelid ptosis, double vision and dysphagia appeared in May 1989. On admission, cranial nerves from III to XII were affected exclusively in the left side. The cell counts and the protein levels in the CSF were elevated. The MRI of the head showed hypertrophic dura mater at the left base of the skull covering the temporal lobe. No bone destruction was found in CT. The biopsy revealed the thickened dura mater with microabscess containing Langhans giant cells and lymphocytes. A diagnosis of pachymeningitis was made. After the therapy with antibiotics and then with prednisolone for several months, cranial nerve disturbances disappeared except hearing loss with decrease in cell counts and protein levels of the CSF. The follow-up MRI after one year showed decrease in thickness of dura mater. The MRI, particularly using enhancement with Gd-DTPA, was useful to make a diagnosis of hypertrophic pachymeningitis. It is suggested that the administration of antibiotics should be considered in the treatment of the pachymeningitis even if the causative agents were not identified.

Cefazolin↗
PubMed1991

[Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) associated with hypothalamo-pituitary hypofunction--a case report].

A case of 25-year-old woman with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) was reported. She had short stature, episodic vomiting with headache, several episodes with homonymous hemianopsia, progressive intellectual decline, generalized convulsion, muscular atrophy, sensory disturbance on the left side of the body, and primary amenorrhea. Lactate, pyruvate and the lactate to pyruvate ratio were elevated in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Muscle biopsy revealed ragged-red fibers. On electron microscopy there were subsarcolemmal aggregations of abnormal mitochondria with proliferation of crista and inclusions. Activities of the respiratory chain enzymes of the muscle mitochondria were normal. She showed a failure of GH response to arginine and levodopa and delayed response of serum GH to growth hormone releasing factor (GRF). She also showed decreased gonadotropin levels and delayed response of the hormone to LH-RH. In this case, a dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis may be related to the short stature and primary amenorrhea. It is suggested that the hypothalamo-pituitary hypofunction may be one of the characteristic features in MELAS.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1990

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MELAS) with mental disorder. CT, MRI and SPECT findings.

A case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (MELAS) with mental disorder is reported. The SPECT study using 123I-iodoamphetamine (IMP) and MRI study revealed abnormality in the left parieto-occipital areas without abnormality in the brain CT or brain scintigram. These findings suggest a localized dysfunction of the brain capillary endothelium in association with the cerebral involvement of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1989

Multiple deletions in mitochondrial DNA at direct repeats of non-D-loop regions in cases of familial mitochondrial myopathy.

Muscle mitochondrial DNAs from two brothers with mitochondrial myopathy associated with peripheral neuropathy had multiple deletions, most of which started in non-D-loop regions, unlike in an autosomal dominant mitochondrial myopathy (Zeviani, M. et al., Nature 339, 309 (1989)). The non-D-loop regions with deletions were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and the resulting fragments were subcloned and then sequenced. At least 12 deletions of different lengths in different sites were found. However, all the deletions were flanked by short direct repeats (4-12 base pairs).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Subacute leucoencephalopathy induced by carmofur, a 5-fluorouracil derivative.

Three cases of leucoencephalopathy induced by carmofur (1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil), an antineoplastic derivative of 5-fluorouracil are reported and the literature is reviewed. Initial symptoms were unsteady gait and dementia developing several weeks or months after carmofur had been started. Symptoms increased gradually even after stopping the drug. Severe encephalopathy with confusion, delirium or coma appeared frequently. Symptoms were usually reversible but death occasionally occurred. The EEG showed marked slowing. Computed tomography of the brains of severely intoxicated patients showed marked hypodensity of the entire cerebral white matter. Carmofur must be discontinued immediately if any psychomotor symptoms develop.

Aged↗