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Biomedical subjects

S Matsubara

Publications and source records attributed to S Matsubara.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Sonographic findings in muscle strain injury: clinical and MR imaging correlation.

Both sonography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed in 57 patients with clinically suspected strain injury in lower extremity muscles. Sonography demonstrated normal findings in nine patients (16%), hyperechoic infiltration in 31 patients (54%), mass in nine patients (16%), and compound lesions of infiltration and mass in eight patients (14%). Clinically grade 2 lesions ranged from small infiltration to large compound lesions on both sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Hyperechoic infiltration was not demonstrated on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and with less than 50% cross-sectional muscle involvement. The mass and compound lesions were ascertained to be moderate or severe injury because the masses of the lesions had obvious hemorrhage or hematoma on magnetic resonance images.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical investigation for polymyositis and related disorders].

The clinical investigation for inflammatory myopathies, which include polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM) and others, was outlined. The serum creatine kinase (CK) activity increases in the majority of cases of inflammatory myopathies. However, the cases of myositis associated with connective tissue diseases tend to show normal or moderately elevated CK activity. Among the isoenzymes of CK, the MB fraction can increase in the course of treatment as it can originate from regenerating muscle fibres. The macro CK type 1 was reported to appear in association with myositides. Varieties of autoantibodies in the serum such as Jo-1 and Ku have been studied. The Jo-1 antibody is frequently detected in the cases of PM associated with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Examination of the heart and lungs is necessary, and so is a search for malignant neoplasms in the cases of DM. Muscle biopsy is mandatory for diagnosing PM, DM and other inflammatory myopathies. Among the latter, inclusion body myositis and granulomatous myopathy need to be identified before treatment as they generally respond poorly. Histological changes of inflammatory myopathies are often distributed unevenly. The magnetic resonance image and ultrasonography are helpful in estimating the distribution of the lesion and therefore in deciding the site of biopsy. Ultrastructural observation of the muscle showed invasion of activated lymphocytes under the basement membrane of the muscle fibres causing degeneration of the myofibrils. The subset analyses of infiltrating cells revealed considerable alterations after the steroid pulse therapy.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1995

Cloning of rat lysosomal acid lipase cDNA and identification of the mutation in the rat model of Wolman's disease.

Lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) is a hydrolase essential for the intracellular degradation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. We previously reported a rat model of Wolman's disease (Wolman rat) that is deficient for LAL activity. In this study, we cloned rat LAL (RLAL) cDNA and investigated abnormal LAL gene expression in the Wolman rat. We cloned the RLAL gene from a cDNA library made from normal rat liver mRNA using the human LAL cDNA as a probe, subcloned the RLAL cDNA into pBlueScript vector, and sequenced it. Next, we constructed a cDNA library from a Wolman rat liver, and used the RLAL cDNA as a probe to isolate the Wolman RLAL cDNA for comparison. The normal RLAL cDNA contains 3150 bp including an 1194 bp open reading frame and three poly A signals at the 3' end. The deduced amino acid sequence contained 397 amino acids, showed 79.9% homology with human LAL, and had the same functional domains at the same sites as human LAL. Northern blot analysis revealed that the RLAL mRNA from normal rat was 3.2 kb in length, while the RLAL mRNA from Wolman rat was only 1.4 kb. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that Wolman rat LAL cDNA had the same sequence as a RLAL cDNA from the 5'-untranslated region to nt 1101, followed by a 60 bp replacement from nt 1102 to nt 1161 with poly A signal and a 3' 1.8 kb deletion. The deduced amino acid sequence demonstrated the substitution of 367Ile to Asn, 368Pro to stop codon, and deletion of the C-terminal 29 amino acids. Genomic Southern blot analysis disclosed a large deletion at the 3' end of the gene. These results identify the molecular defect in the Wolman RLAL, and suggest that the C-terminus of RLAL is essential for the activity and/or stability of the enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Mitochondrial changes in acute myopathy after treatment of respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation (acute relaxant-steroid myopathy).

A case of acute myopathy was observed in the course of treatment of respiratory failure with mechanical ventilation combined with prolonged neuromuscular blockade and administration of corticosteroids. A muscle biopsy revealed degeneration of muscle fibres. Electron microscopy showed loss of thick filaments as well as nemaline rods, vacuoles and cytoplasmic bodies. The mitochondria were increased in number, many harbouring paracrystalline inclusions, which were hitherto unknown in this condition.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1994

Sarcoidosis of the thyroid gland manifested initially as thyroid tumor.

A rare case of a patients with sarcoidosis of the thyroid gland, who was preoperatively diagnosed as having thyroid carcinoma and who had no other clinical features of sarcoidosis, is reported. Thyroidectomy specimen revealed numerous noncaseating, epithelioid granulomas in the thyroid tissue. Mycobacteria, fungi and foreign body material were not identified. Similar granulomas were also found in the lymph nodes and muscular tissue adjacent to the thyroid gland and parathyroid gland After the diagnosis of sarcoidosis of the thyroid, systemic examination failed to reveal any involvement in other sites, including lung, eye and skin. This case demonstrated that sarcoidosis can manifest initially as a thyroid tumor with no other evidence of disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Frictional forces and surface topography of a new ceramic bracket.

The present study was designed to measure the frictional forces between orthodontic wires and a new ceramic bracket and to investigate the differences in the frictional forces with the new and two previously available ceramic brackets. Frictional forces were measured during the sliding of 0.016 x 0.022-inch and 0.017 x 0.022-inch cobalt-chromium alloy wire through three brackets bonded to a simulated tooth. The wires were not ligated into the brackets, so as to eliminate the influences of ligation on the bracket-wire friction. Further, slot surfaces of the three brackets were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The magnitude of frictional forces produced by the new ceramic bracket was significantly less for both the wires than that produced by the two ceramic brackets at 1% level of confidence. The frictional forces with all the brackets exhibited a slight increase as the wire size became larger. The magnitude of frictional forces decreased substantially as the retraction point shifted more cervically. Slot surfaces of the new ceramic bracket were substantially smoother than those surfaces of the two other ceramic brackets. It is shown that refinements of slot surfaces of the ceramic bracket may be effective to reduce friction, although the bracket-wire frictions in this in vitro study were somewhat underestimated because of the lack of ligation of the wire into the bracket.

Aluminum Oxide↗
PubMed1994

The midkine (MK) family of growth/differentiation factors: structure of an MK-related sequence in a pseudogene and evolutionary relationships among members of the MK family.

Midkine (MK) is a novel heparin-binding growth/differentiation factor coded by a retinoic acid-responsive gene. MK cDNA probe reacts with two bands, a 4 kb one and a 3 kb one, upon Southern blot analysis of Hin dIII fragments of mouse genomic DNA: the midkine gene (Mdk) is on the 4 kb fragment. Sequence analysis of the 3 kb fragment revealed that it has an Mdk-related sequence (Mdk-rs) highly homologous to MK cDNA, three mouse Aluequivalent repeats and seven A+T-rich segments. The Mdk-rs carried an inserted microsatellite DNA, is flanked by imperfect direct repeats observed in many retroposons, and lacks introns. Interspecific hybrid analysis revealed that Mdk-rs is located on chromosome 11, while Mdk is known to be on chromosome 2. The evolutional velocity of Mdk-rs was calculated to be 11 times higher than that of mouse Mdk. These features suggest that Mdk-rs is a processed pseudogene generated in the mouse genome. The 3 kb fragment with Mdk-rs, which is rich in inserted DNA sequences probably due to the presence of A+T-rich segments, may be a hot spot for amplification and evolution of genomic DNA. Mdk-rs was estimated to have been generated about 19.1 million years ago. A chicken protein retinoic acid-induced, heparin-binding protein (RIHB), is highly homologous to MK, and its divergence from human MK was estimated to have occurred about 250 million years ago, suggesting that RIHB is the chicken homology of MK. Thus, so far there are only two established protein members, MK and heparin-binding, growth-associated molecule (HB-GAM)/pleiotrophin (PTN) in the MK family.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Mapping and characterization of a retinoic acid-responsive enhancer of midkine, a novel heparin-binding growth/differentiation factor with neurotrophic activity.

MK is a gene that is activated by retinoic acid in embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells and is expressed temporarily during the mid-gestation period of mouse embryogenesis. Midkine, the product of the gene is a novel heparin-binding growth/differentiation factor with neurite outgrowth and neurotrophic activities. The regulatory DNA element in the retinoic acid-induced expression of the MK gene has been investigated. The 1.9 kb 5'-flanking region of the MK gene can mediate retinoic acid-responsive gene expression in F9 and HM-1 EC cells. Analysis of this region by deletion mutagenesis in F9 EC cells shows that there is a retinoic acid-responsive enhancer (designated as REM1) around 900 bp upstream from the transcription start site. This enhancer is composed of two sequence elements, which are located between -1006 and -895 and between -901 and -794. The core element of the upstream region (-971 to -955), whose deletion abolished the retinoic acid responsiveness, contained a sequence highly homologous to a binding site for retinoic acid receptors. Binding of a retinoic acid receptor heterodimer to this core element was verified by gel shift assay. Thus, retinoic acid and the receptor complex can directly induce the expression of a growth/differentiation factor gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Combination of plasma exchange and continuous hemofiltration as temporary metabolic support for patients with acute liver failure.

The combination of plasma exchange and continuous hemofiltration was applied to patients with acute liver failure, and its clinically advantageous effects were evaluated. This procedure was found to be a powerful approach in decreasing patient morbidity; however, the effect was temporary and the patients finally died. Efforts to eliminate the hepatitis virus, which is the main etiology of hepatic necrosis in Japan, are urgent to salvage patients with fulminant liver failure.

Hemofiltration↗
PubMed1994

Benign neurogenic amyotrophy in Klinefelter's syndrome.

Two cases of benign neurogenic amyotrophy associated with Klinefelter's syndrome are reported. Both presented with slowly progressive, diffuse neurogenic muscle atrophy of juvenile onset. Both had a karyotype of XXY. Amplification, by the polymerase chain reaction, of a fragment of androgen receptor that was related to bulbospinal muscular atrophy, showed no abnormality. Treatment with androgen in one case provided no benefit. Benign neurogenic amyotrophy in the Klinefelter's syndrome is likely to be an independent type of motor neuron disease and suggests that the X chromosome plays an important part in the biology of motor neurons.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Purines. LXII. Both enantiomers of N6-(1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl)adenine and their 9-beta-D-ribofuranosides: synthesis and cytokinin activity.

Both enantiomers [(1'R)-6 and (1'S)-6] of N6-(1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl)adenine and their 9-beta-D-ribofuranosides [(1"R)-16 and (1"S)-16] have been synthesized for the first time from both enantiomers of alanine (15) in nine steps. These aglycones and nucleosides, together with N6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)adenine (5) and its 9-beta-D-ribofuranoside (18) as well as 9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-cis-zeatin (20) and 9-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-cis-zeatin (19), were tested for cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus bioassay. The order of their activity was 5 > (1'R)-6 > (1"R)-16 approximately 18 > (1'S)-6 > (1"S)-16 > 20 > 19. The bioassay results are compared with those obtained previously for the derivatives modified analogously in the N6-substituent in the cis- and trans-zeatin series.

Adenine↗
PubMed1994

The development of graphic symbols for medical symptoms to facilitate communication between health care providers and receivers.

Since there are a variety of communication barriers in health care settings in Japan, a study was designed to improve communication by the use of graphic symbols. At the beginning of this study, graphic symbols were developed to correspond to 26 basic symptoms. Seventy-six subjects voluntarily evaluated the comprehensibility of these symbols: nursing students (n = 29), manual sign language interpreters (n = 24), hearing impaired subjects with normal (n = 10), limited (n = 11), and minimal (n = 2) literacy abilities. The comprehension by each respondent of each symbol was compared with that of the authors. On the average, numbers of the matching meanings were 24.9 +/- 1.36 (mean +/- S.D.) for students, 24.5 +/- 1.77 for interpreters, 23.4 +/- 2.22, and 21.5 +/- 3.01 for the first two groups of the hearing impaired. Among the 26 symbols, 10 showed high levels of the matching rates (> 90%) for all groups. These symbols were considered to be effective alternatives to verbal expression. Further refinements of the graphic symbols were suggested to suppress the differences in interpretation of the remainder of the symbols. During this study, colleagues and subjects suggested cognitive strategies to clarify and enhance the meaning of the graphic symbols such as (a) the subtraction of excessive information, (b) the addition of further information, and (c) the simplification of the setting by minimizing social and cultural bias.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Enzyme-cytochemistry of human chorion laeve at term: enzyme localization on the chorionic trophoblast.

Is the chorion laeve merely a remnant of the chorion frondosum in placental development? Or is it metabolically active, having something to do with maternofetal interactions? In order to answer these questions at least in part, we determined the ultracytochemical localizations of some important enzymes such as nonspecific phosphatase (alkaline phosphatase), specific phosphatase (Ca(++)-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase) and adenylate cyclase in the human chorion laeve at term. Strong activities of these enzymes were localized by ultracytochemistry on the plasma membrane of the trophoblast in the chorion laeve. These enzyme activities were confirmed by a series of cytochemical-control experiments, i.e., substrate-free control, heat-stability control, and inhibition control by inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase. These observations indicate that the chorionic trophoblast is probably metabolically active and that it might play an important role in the physiology of the fetal membrane.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1994

Enzyme-cytochemistry of human chorion laeve at term: enzyme localization on the chorionic trophoblast.

Is the chorion laeve merely a remnant of the chorion frondosum in placental development? Or is it metabolically active, having something to do with maternofetal interactions? In order to answer these questions at least in part, we determined the ultracytochemical localizations of some important enzymes such as nonspecific phosphatase (alkaline phosphatase), specific phosphatase (Ca(++)-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase) and adenylate cyclase in the human chorion laeve at term. Strong activities of these enzymes were localized by ultracytochemistry on the plasma membrane of the trophoblast in the chorion laeve. These enzyme activities were confirmed by a series of cytochemical-control experiments, i.e., substrate-free control, heat-stability control, and inhibition control by inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase. These observations indicate that the chorionic trophoblast is probably metabolically active and that it might play an important role in the physiology of the fetal membrane.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1994

The radiologic presentation of Osler-Weber-Rendu disease of the liver.

A case of Osler-Weber-Rendu disease with extensive hepatic arteriovenous fistulation is described in detail. Hemodynamic and imaging data indicated hepatic artery to hepatic vein shunting. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the existence of arteriovenous fistulas by virtue of simultaneous enhancement of hepatic arteries and veins. Embolization treatment was not indicated because the patient was asymptomatic despite cardiac high output.

Arteriovenous Fistula↗
PubMed1994

The effects of X-ray energy and an iodine-based contrast agent on chromosome aberrations.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of combining irradiation with X rays of various energies and an iodine-based contrast agent on the induction of chromosome aberrations in the peripheral lymphocytes of blood samples taken from healthy young donors. Although no enhancement of the effect of radiation was induced when blood samples with the iodine-based contrast agent were given 35 kV X irradiation, an 80 kV X-ray exposure induced an enhanced level of chromosome aberrations, and at 250 kV X irradiation, an enhancement of the frequencies of chromosome aberrations was seen in blood samples with the iodine-based contrast agent, especially when a Lucite phantom was employed in studies to increase the scattered rays. It was thus shown by microdosimetric analysis that X irradiation combined with an iodine-based contrast agent causes an enhancement of the absorbed radiation dose, which is dependent on the X-ray energies employed. This phenomenon may have clinical use in the radiotherapeutic management of tumors, although further extensive studies of tumor vascularity must be pursued before this can be applied clinically.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

B-HT 920, a dopamine D2 agonist, in the treatment of negative symptoms of chronic schizophrenia.

A prospective, nonblind 8-week trial of talipexole dihydrochloride (B-HT 920), a dopamine D2 agonist, was conducted in 15 schizophrenic patients with predominantly negative symptoms. B-HT 920 was initiated at 0.15 mg/day and then adjusted at 0.15-2.4 mg/day on the basis of clinical response and side effects. Dosage of concurrent neuroleptics was fixed at least 3 weeks prior to the trial and was unchanged throughout the study period. In addition to clinical assessment, levels of plasma homovanillic acid (pHVA), a potential index of central dopamine turnover, were measured. There was a small but significant (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon test) reduction in total scores of the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms or in a cluster score of three negative items (Emotional Withdrawal, Blunted Affect, and Psychomotor Retardation) of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). No change was observed in cluster scores of positive items of BPRS. There was a weak negative correlation between pHVA levels and the cluster scores of negative items of BPRS both at weeks 0 and 8 of the trial. The clinical results suggest that activation of D2 receptors was related to partial amelioration of the negative symptoms. The clinical and biochemical findings are consistent with a hypothesis that decreased dopaminergic activity may be related to the etiology of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Arousal↗