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Biomedical subjects

S Morimoto

Publications and source records attributed to S Morimoto.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

High plasma levels of cortisol in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Plasma cortisol levels and other factors including thyroid hormone in patients with Alzheimer's type (n = 10), vascular type (n = 10) or mixed type (n = 10) senile dementia were compared with those in non-demented senile controls (n = 10). Plasma cortisol levels at 8:00 a.m. in Alzheimer's type dementia and mixed type dementia were 17.3 +/- 4.3 micrograms/dl (mean +/- SD) and 15.6 +/- 2.3 micrograms/dl, respectively. These values were significantly higher (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.01) than those found in the control subjects (12.0 +/- 3.1 micrograms/dl). Plasma cortisol levels in vascular-type dementia (14.4 +/- 6.3 micrograms/dl) did not differ significantly from those in the controls. Plasma ACTH in senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type was lower, but not significant as compared with that in normal controls. In three subgroups of senile dementia and normal controls, plasma cortisol levels inversely correlated significantly with the degree of cognitive function. Plasma levels in TSH-thyroid system and blood pressure did not show any significant change in three types of senile dementia. These data suggest that senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type accompanies relatively and primarily high plasma cortisol levels and this may associate with cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's type senile dementia.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Comparison of the inhibitions of proliferation of normal and psoriatic fibroblasts by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and synthetic analogues of vitamin D3 with an oxygen atom in their side chain.

The inhibitory effects of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 and synthetic oxa-derivatives of vitamin D3 on growth of normal and psoriatic fibroblasts in culture were compared. Proliferation of normal fibroblasts was strongly inhibited by these new compounds in the following order: 22-oxa-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 greater than 22-oxa-1 alpha-(OH)D3 greater than 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 greater than 20-oxa-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. 22-Oxa-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 was about 10-times more inhibitory than 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. Proliferation of psoriatic fibroblasts was not inhibited by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 at concentrations of up to 10(-6) M, but was suppressed by 10(-8)-10(-6) M 22-oxa-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 and 10(-6) M 22-oxa-1 alpha-(OH)D3. These results suggest that oxa-derivatives of vitamin D3, especially 22-oxa-1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, should be useful in further studies on the cause and treatment of psoriasis.

Calcitriol↗

[Influence factors on coronary collateral development].

In order to evaluate the influence factors on coronary collateral development, we compared various factors between two groups. Group I consisted of the 69 patients performed coronary angiography within 6 hours after the onset of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and Group II consisted of the 56 patients without MI because having good collaterals nevertheless whose one coronary artery was totally occluded or had a 99% stenosis. Group I (24/69, 35%) had a higher frequency of Diabetes mellitus than Group II (11/56, 20%) and had a lower frequency (30/69, 43%) of multivessel disease than Group II (39/56, 70%). The patients having angina duration more than 6 months were more in Group II (37/56, 60%) than in Group I (18/69, 26%). No significant differences existed between these two groups in age, smoke, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. In conclusions, the patients with good collateral have high frequency of multivessel disease and long history of angina pectoris. Diabetes mellitus is a inhibit factor on coronary collateral development.

Adult↗

[Occupational uroepithelial cancer: current status in Wakayama city and clinical study].

According to the records of Wakayama Labor Standard Office, at least 1,085 workers had been exposed to benzidine or beta-naphthylamine in the dyestuff factories in Wakayama City. By October 1988, 101 of them (9.3%) were confirmed to have urinary tract tumors. Including 2 other cases exposed in Osaka, a total of 103 cases of occupational uroepithelial cancer were studied here clinically. Site of tumors was bladder in 91 cases, renal pelvis in 2, ureter in 5 and papillomatosis type in 5. The age at the time of diagnosis ranged from 25 to 87 years with a mean of 53.8 years. The average latent period was 22.7 years, but the older the age of the worker at the start of exposure, the shorter was the latent period. In Wakayama, the proper system of healthy examination for chemical workers using urinary cytology was begun in 1970. Since then, more tumor cases have been discovered in comparison to the patients admitted with subjective symptoms of hematuria. The effectiveness of this group examination was significant in the incidence of total cystectomy in surgical treatment and in survival rate. In the comparative study between the groups of patients with occupational and spontaneous bladder cancer, the average age at diagnosis in the former was about ten years younger. Although the histological grade of tumor was not different between the two groups, the incidence of total cystectomy was lower and the survival rate was significantly higher in the occupational group.

2-Naphthylamine↗

Comparisons of maltase activities in kidney brush border membranes from normal, diabetic, glucose-infused and maltose-infused rabbits.

The specific activities of membrane-bound maltase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) in isolated brush border membranes (BBMs) of alloxan-induced diabetic, glucose-infused and maltose-infused rabbits were 30%, 140% and 160%, respectively, of those of control rabbits. Differences in the relative activities of trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28), another disaccharidase, in these groups were similar but less marked. However, the activities of two other marker enzymes of the brush border, alkaline-phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, were similar in the 4 groups of rabbits. The decreases in the activities of the two disaccharidases were due to changes in the Vmax values of the enzymes without change in their Km values for maltose and trehalose. The maltase activities in the 4 groups showed similar dependences on Tris-HCl, KCl and NaCl. The electrophoretic profiles of the BBMs of the 4 groups on SDS-polyacrylamide gel showed slight differences. From these results, we conclude that diabetes, glucose infusion and maltose infusion probably change the concentrations of active enzymes in the BBM of the kidney in rabbits.

Alloxan↗

[Cavitating malignant neoplasms in the lung].

Cavitation was found in 8.3% of 96 primary lung cancers, and in 4.5% of 111 metastatic neoplasms. Of 13 excavating lung tumors, seven had adenocarcinoma, 3 squamous cell carcinoma, one anaplastic carcinoma, one hemangioendothelioma, and one malignant melanoma. Primary cavitary lung cancers had relatively thick walls, irregular internal and outer contours, and the location of the cavity was more often central. Excavating pulmonary metastases had smooth outer margin, more often irregular internal contour, and the location of the cavity was central. Among them, four cases had thin-walled cavity. Thin-section CT was useful in the evaluation of the margin of the tumors and the internal contour of the cavities, and in the detection of small cavities in the tumors.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Clinical studies on urinary tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA): problems and improvement in determination].

The reliability of measurement of urinary TPA using a Prolifigen TPA kit (Sangtec, Sweden) was investigated, and an improved method for stabilizing TPA was tested. Samples were filtrated with a cellulose nitrate membrane filter to remove impurities as a possible cause of a high false positive rate which has been a problem in urinary TPA measurement. Serum TPA and Tween 40-treated urinary TPA was not adsorbed by the filter, whereas TPA in the non-treated urine showed a marked affinity to the filter. This shows the instability of TPA in the original urine, and the impropriety of filtration as a measure of purification of urine samples. The dilution test of urine and the standard TPA, and the recovery test of the standard TPA added to 6 different urine samples showed reasonable results only when the samples were treated with Tween 40; otherwise the values were lower than expected. Thirty-four spot urine samples were tested to examine the change in TPA value during the storage for 24 hours. TPA values decreased when urine was stored at room temperature, but this change was prevented by treatment of urine with Tween 40.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

[The results of an investigation of the various factors influencing the late patency ratio of coronary bypass grafting].

The purpose of this communication was to find out the factors influencing the late patency ratio of coronary artery bypass grafts of 42 patients in our institution. The following results were obtained: 1. The size of the measured diameters of coronary arteries and the graft flow rates were correlated well to the late patency ratio (p less than 0.05). 2. The regular physical exercise trainings were significantly important to keep patent grafts (p less than 0.01). 3. In blood serum studies, serum uric acid levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.05), the average mean HDL cholesterol levels were much higher (p less than 0.001) and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the group with late patent grafts than with grafts occluded. Therefore, we found out the variables affecting graft patency ratio which were examined by a stepwise method were the diameter of the coronary artery, regular physical exercise training, the average of lower serum uric acid levels and higher HDL cholesterol levels. The multiple coefficient for these four variables was 0.562 (p less than 0.001) and the contribution was 31.6%. According to the base of this studies, we have concluded that postoperative regular physical exercise, low fat and restricted calorie intake were very important to keep the late patent grafts in long-term follow up period after coronary bypass surgery.

Adult↗

[Three cases with an extensive lesion in the dependent portion of the lungs diagnosed by chest CT-scan].

Three patients whose lung diseases are diagnosed with CT-scan are reported. A patient showed severe hypoxemia without any abnormal shadow on chest X-P. CT-scan revealed a diffuse and extensive lesion in the dependent portion. We performed his respiratory care in prone position. CT-scan of the second patient with aspiration pneumonia revealed that the lesion existed in the dependent portion. Cardiogenic pulmonary edema of the third patient was found to be distributed mainly in the dependent portion by CT-scan. We consider that CT-scan is useful when chest X-P gives little information.

Humans↗

[Therapeutic embolization of renal angiomyolipoma: a case report].

A case of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma without tuberous sclerosis is reported. A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the general practitioner with a sudden onset of severe left flank pain. An excretory urogram and ultrasonogram revealed an enlargement of the left kidney. She was subsequently referred to our clinic for further investigation and treatment. Computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging using Tl-weighted image showed several tumors with a fatty, dense area in the bilateral kidney. An arteriogram demonstrated a hypervascular renal mass with aneurysms in her left kidney. Diagnosis of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma was confirmed by percutaneous needle biopsy. Superselective embolization of the tumor was successfully performed, preserving normal renal tissue. Gelatin sponges containing Carboquone (CQ sponge) were used as embolic material. Angiomyolipoma has become relatively easy to diagnose by CT, ultrasound, MRI and so on. However, there are some cases of angiomyolipoma which are indistinguishable from renal cell carcinoma using these modes of testing. Therefore, in selecting a conservative management, we indicated that percutaneous biopsy or open biopsy should be done to confirm the results of the above procedures. Moreover, therapeutic embolization for angiomyolipoma was concluded to be very useful.

Embolization, Therapeutic↗

[Correlation of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity with coronary artery disease].

To ascertain the correlation between arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of the lower extremities and coronary artery disease (CAD), 69 patients with lower extremity ASO were observed. Based on clinical symptoms, the patients were categorized as group A: 52 with intermittent claudication and group B: 17 with angina pectoris. All patients underwent angiography of both lower extremities and the heart. Results were as follows: 1. In group A, 33 patients had significant coronary stenosis with single (16 cases), double (12 cases) and triple (five cases) vessel disease. Sixteen patients had histories of myocardial infarction and two had vasospastic angina. In group B, 15 patients had significant coronary stenosis with single (five cases), double (six cases) and triple (four cases) vessel disease including two cases involving the left main trunk. Six patients had histories of myocardial infarction and two had vasospastic angina. 2. Electrocardiography revealed that 37 patients in group A and 14 patients in group B had abnormal ECGs as abnormal Q waves and ST-T changes. However, 10 patients in group A and three patients in group B had significant coronary stenosis despite their normal ECGs. 3. According to the sites of stenotic lesions, all 69 patients with ASO were classified in four types; as diffuse, pelvic, ilio-femoral and femoral. The incidence of CAD did not differ among these four types. 4. In group A, 38 patients experienced revascularization of ASO; 36 cases by bypass grafting, and two by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Ten patients received cardiac revascularization including three cases with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and seven cases with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In group B, 13 patients received revascularization of ASO with bypass grafting. Eleven patients had coronary revascularization including seven cases with CABG and four cases with PTCA. 5. Fourteen of the 69 patients received revascularization for both ASO and CAD. In conclusion, there is a highly significant coincidence of CAD in patients with ASO, and CAD is often silent. These data indicate that routine coronary angiography is necessary for detecting and preventing CAD in all patients with ASO. Coronary artery revascularization, especially PTCA, can be indicated prior to lower extremity revascularization.

Aged↗

Saposin D: a sphingomyelinase activator.

Saposin D, a newly discovered heat-stable, 10 kDa glycoprotein, was isolated from Gaucher spleen and purified to homogeneity. Chemical sequencing from its amino terminus demonstrated colinearity between its amino acid sequence and the deduced amino acid sequence of the fourth domain of prosaposin, the precursor of saposin proteins. Saposin D specifically stimulates acid sphingomyelinase but has no significant effect on the other hydrolases tested.

Enzyme Activation↗

[Immunoreactive parathyroid hormones in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with renal failure: possible restriction of parathyroid hormone by the blood-brain barrier].

There are reports that patients with renal failure have elevated circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is suspected to be a causal factor of the cerebral symptoms of these patients. A positive correlation between the circulating level of immunoreactive PTH and the extent of abnormality in the electroencephalogram (EEG) in humans has been reported. Moreover, in uremic dogs normalization of the EEG was observed after parathyroidectomy, and increased abnormality of the EEG was observed on infusion of PTH. If PTH is really a causal factor of uremic encephalopathy and abnormality of the EEG in patients with renal failure, the question arises as to whether PTH acts on the brain after penetrating through the blood-brain barrier or in some other way. In this work, we measured PTH by both C-terminal-specific RIA (C-PTH) and N-terminal-specific RIA (N-PTH) in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal subjects and patients with renal failure. Blood and CSF samples were obtained from 7 normal volunteers (31 approximately 81 years old: 4 males and 3 females) and 22 patients with chronic renal failure (25 approximately 87 years old: 12 males and 10 females). No patients had a psychotic disease or endocrinopathy other than secondary hyperparathyroidism. Samples of venous blood were collected from the subjects after an overnight fast at the time of lumbar puncture for CSF sampling. C-terminal-specific RIA for measurement of the plasma and CSF concentrations of C-PTH was carried out using a commercially available RIA kit (Eiken Laboratory Inc., Tokyo, Japan).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Increase of (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase activity of renal basolateral membranes by platelet-derived growth factor through a specific receptor.

Studies were made on the direct effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the high-affinity (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase, a membrane bound Ca2+-extrusion pump enzyme of the basolateral membranes (BLM) of canine kidney (Km for free Ca2+ = 1.0 x 10(-7) M, Vmax = 180 nmol Pi/mg/min). At 1 x 10(-7) M free Ca2+, PDGF (10(-10)-10(-8) M) stimulated the enzyme activity significantly. Addition of 5 - 200 microM suramin, a compound that blocks binding of PDGF to its receptors on cell membranes, inhibited the stimulatory effect of PDGF dose-dependently (IC50 = 40 microM). A high affinity specific receptor for PDGF (Kd = 4.4 x 10(-10) M, Bmax = 460 fmol/mg protein) was detected on BLM preparations by radioreceptor assay with 125I-PDGF and unlabelled PDGF. Suramin (10-1000 microM) also inhibited the binding of PDGF to BLM preparations dose-dependently. From these results, it is proposed that PDGF stimulates (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase activity of kidney BLM preparations by enhancing its affinity for free Ca2+ through a specific receptor.

Animals↗

[A case of chemical hyperthyroidism induced by antiarrhythmic agent amiodarone].

Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, is known to occasionally induce alterations in thyroid function because of its iodine content and ability to inhibit T4 5'-monodeiodination. We herein describe the drug-induced chemical hyperthyroidism in a diabetic patient with ventricular premature beats. A 46-year-old man with well controlled diabetes mellitus revealed neck swelling during a 4 months' treatment with amiodarone for his frequent occurrence of ventricular premature beats. Physical findings were unremarkable other than grade III diffuse struma. Routine laboratory studies were almost normal. The results of thyroid function studies showed hyperthyroidism, including increases in T4 and free T4, slight increases in T3 and free T3, a marked increase in reverse T3 and a decrease in 123I 24-h uptake. TSH was low and did not respond to TRH. Antithyroid antibodies and TSH receptor antibodies were negative. The findings of the thyroid biopsy were unremarkable except for a mild follicular hyperplasia. After cessation of the drug, T3 and free T3 were returned to normal within 2 weeks, T4 and free T4 within 2 months and reverse T3 after 6 months. These data suggest that the struma and chemical hyperthyroidism observed in our patient were induced by amiodarone treatment.

Amiodarone↗