Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Tsuji

Publications and source records attributed to S Tsuji.

At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources

Beriberi neuropathy. Morphometric study of sural nerve.

Seven biopsied sural nerves from patients with beriberi were morphometrically evaluated. In teased fiber analysis the mean frequency of myelinated fibers showing axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination was 37.5 and 5.3%, respectively. In two cases with frequency of segmental demyelination higher than 5%, segmental demyelination was shown by statistical criteria to have occurred on certain fibers in a clustered fashion. Therefore, the segmental demyelination in beriberi may be secondary to axonal degeneration. Electromyographic findings and slow improvement of muscle weakness were compatible with axonal degeneration of motor fibers. Determinations of fiber densities revealed preferential decrease of the density of large myelinated fibers with the preservation of the density of small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. The preferential nerve fiber involvement in beriberi was not associated with pain in the lower limbs and this fact is contrary to the expectation of the proponents of the gate control theory.

Adolescent↗

A study of the interaction between promotor DNA and T. thermophilus DNA-dependent RNA polymerase 1,2.

As the first step in the process of RNA synthesis, RNA polymerase binds to a specific site (promoter) and forms an open complex. In this process, it is considered that the structure of DNA is changed to an unidentified form. We investigated the structure of this DNA, which consists of an open complex, by means of CD. For this purpose, we used very stable RNA polymerase (of T. thermophilus HB8) and the fd-RF-DNA fragment (Hap-Hga V), which has only one promoter. We have confirmed that the complex of the holo enzyme with Hap-Hga V fragment at 50 degrees C is an open complex. We obtained the CD spectral difference between the open complex and its constituents for the first time. The observed CD difference spectra in the UV region (250-300 nm) were compared with the theoretical difference CD. It was deduced that the DNA of the open complex may be melted around the initiation point over a rather longer range than expected.

Animals↗

Effect of spontaneous portal-systemic shunting on plasma insulin and amino acid concentrations.

To elucidate the relative contribution of parenchymal liver damage and spontaneous portal-systemic shunting to the reduction of peripheral insulin degradation rate and the decrease in plasma concentrations of three branched chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), plasma insulin, C-peptide, and amino acid concentrations were measured during oral glucose tolerance tests in 17 patients with liver cirrhosis, 10 with idiopathic portal hypertension, 5 hospitalized controls, and normal subjects. None of the patients had evidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with idiopathic portal hypertension had histologically minimum hepatic fibrosis in spite of the existence of extensive exophageal varices. The molar ratio between plasma concentrations of C-peptide and insulin was significantly decreased in patients with cirrhosis, but not in those with idiopathic portal hypertension. In both patients with cirrhosis and idiopathic portal hypertension, the three branched chain amino acid levels were significantly decreased and the molar ratio between the concentrations of the three branched chain amino acids and two aromatic amino acids (tyrosine and phenylalanine) were markedly reduced. These results suggest that spontaneous portal-systemic shunting does not primarily contribute to the reduced degradation of insulin, but has a close relationship with the decrease in branched chain amino acid levels and in the molar ratio of plasma amino acids. In addition, the present data indicate that decreased branched chain amino acid levels in patients with cirrhosis is not merely ascribed to hyperinsulinemia and that the decrease in the molar ratio of plasma amino acids is not specific to the presence of hepatic encephalopathy.

Adult↗

Oculomotor abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.

Ocular movement was studied in 19 patients with Parkinson's disease and in ten normal controls. Common abnormalities included "hypometric saccade" on the eye-tracking test and on command, "saccadic pursuit," and convergence paresis. Reaction time was longer in patients with Parkinson's disease than in controls for horizontal saccadic gaze, finger movements, and body movements. Maximal saccadic velocity of horizontal gaze was slower in patients with Parkinson's disease than in controls. Slowing of the horizontal saccadic movement correlated significantly with an increased reaction time of finger and body movements. Correlation of decreased saccadic velocity with increased reaction time of finger movement was found for the finger ipsilateral to the direction of horizontal gaze, but not for the contralateral finger. It is postulated from these facts that bradykinesia also exists in eye movements in Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗

Hemodynamic effects of sublingual nifedipine in congestive heart failure.

Hemodynamic response of nifedipine in 11 patients with congestive heart failure was examined. Thirty minutes after sublingual administration of nifedipine, CI and SVI were increased together with a decrease in PAEDP and TSVRI. The increase in CI was proportional to the decrease in TSVRI. Twenty-four hours after continuous administration of nifedipine, however, six of 11 patients did not show the improvement of left ventricular function. These results indicate that sublingual administration of nifedipine is effective in the short-term therapy of the patients with a markedly decreased cardiac output and an increased systemic vascular resistance.

Administration, Oral↗