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Biomedical subjects

T Harada

Publications and source records attributed to T Harada.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

Effect of adrenergic agents on urethral pressure and urethral compliance measurements in dog proximal urethra.

The effects of adrenergic drugs on urethral compliance and urethral closure pressure at the proximal urethra of dogs were investigated using a new probe. The probe, with a balloon at the tip, was equipped with two generating and two detecting electrodes. The probe was inserted into the proximal urethra, and saline was then infused at a constant rate into the balloon with an infusion pump. The pressure and cross-sectional area of the urethra were recorded and a correlation curve of these parameters was drawn. The regression (of the form y = ax + b) was determined from the curve. Urethral compliance and closure pressures were obtained from the values of "a" and "-b/a" respectively, and the maximum cross-sectional area was measured when no further distension of the urethra was obtained. Urethral compliance decreased after the administration of phenylephrine, but increased after the administration of prazosin and labetalol. The urethral closure pressure decreased after the administration of dopamine and haloperidol. There was no change in either urethral compliance or closure pressure after the administration of clonidine, yohimbine, isoproterenol, or propranolol. The results indicate that adrenergic drugs work on urethral compliance, and that the alpha-adrenergic receptor of the proximal urethra is of the alpha-1 type. The changes in the urethral pressure after dopamine administration seems to be a response mediated by dopamine receptors.

Animals↗

White fibrous papulosis of the neck: a new clinicopathologic entity?

A clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study of 32 cases of white fibrous papulosis of the neck was undertaken. Clinically, this condition is characterized by asymptomatic white papules that appear mainly around the neck in elderly persons. The papules are approximately 2 to 3 mm in diameter, round to oval, clearly marginated, and unrelated to the hair follicles. The major pathologic change revealed by light microscopic examination is a relatively circumscribed area of thickened collagen bundles in the papillary to mid dermis. Ultrastructurally, no remarkable morphologic change is seen in either the collagen or the elastic fibers, except for a variation in the diameters of collagen fibrils within the lesion compared with perilesional normal skin. White fibrous papulosis of the neck appears to be a new clinicopathologic entity, cases of which to date have been reported only in Japan.

Adult↗

Neutral alpha-glucosidase in granule fractions from guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes: enzymic characterization and comparative studies with monoclonal antibodies.

Neutral alpha-glucosidase was partially purified from granular fractions isolated from guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). The native enzyme had a high molecular weight, about 417,000, with a subunit of 43,000. The purified enzyme hydrolysed 4-methylumbelliferyl alpha-glucoside and maltose, but not isomaltose, trehalose, and glycogen. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by bromoconduritol and castanospermine, but only slightly by turanose. Monoclonal antibodies which can bind specifically to the enzyme were prepared by immunizing mice with the partially purified enzyme. Hybridomas producing the monoclonal antibodies were selected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seven monoclonal antibodies were found to react with the enzyme from PMNL, but not with the glycoprotein-processing alpha-glucosidase isolated from liver microsomes nor with the macrophage enzyme. The results indicated that PMNL contain a particulate neutral alpha-glucosidase enzymologically and immunologically distinct from other alpha-glucosidases.

Animals↗

New perspectives for diagnosis of nodular goiter by technetium-thallium subtraction scanning.

To improve the scintigraphic differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules, Tc-99m pertechnetate-Tl-201 Cl subtraction scintigraphy (Tc-Tl subtraction scanning) was performed in 106 patients with various histologically proven thyroid nodules. Results were evaluated by comparison with surgical findings and preoperative ultrasonographic results. Thyroid nodules were more successfully detected by Tc-Tl subtraction scanning than by either Tc-99m pertechnetate or Tl-201 Cl scintigraphy alone. Detection of nodules was further improved when images recorded by the three methods were integrally observed (sensitivity 83%, accuracy 89%), with detectability approaching that of ultrasonography. False-positive or -negative Tc-Tl subtraction scans were obtained principally when multiple nodules were present (7 cases) or when no discrepancy existed between the accumulations of Tc-99m pertechnetate and Tl-201 Cl (18 cases). Most colloid nodules exhibited irregular margins, heterogeneous internal accumulations of Tl-201 Cl, and distorted shapes on Tc-Tl subtraction scans, while the majority of adenoma were oval-shaped with smooth margins. Carcinoma were characterized by homogeneous internal accumulation of Tl-201 Cl and distorted shapes.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Unstable cervical spine in athetoid cerebral palsy.

The manifestations and pathomechanism of cervical instability of the athetoid neck in cerebral palsy (CP) patients was clarified in this study by means of static and dynamic x-ray analysis. Instability was defined as follows: 1) listhesis indicating anterior or posterior slip of more than 3 mm and/or 2) sagittal rotation between two vertebrae beyond the normal range measured by Penning. Cervical instability fitting this definition mainly took place in the upper and middle cervical disc levels, such as C3-4, C4-5, and/or occasionally C5-6. These coincide with the disc levels adjacent to the apex of the lordotic curve and/or those around the transitional vertebrae between the two reversed curves that render the cervical spine S-shaped in athetoid CP. A large facet angle at the apex vertebra facilitated anterior and/or posterior listhesis of the vertebrae. Conversely, a sudden decrease in the facet angle around the transitional vertebra in S-shaped curves precipitated deflection of the spine and increased sagittal rotation at this level. In addition to these structural abnormalities, rapid and repetitious neck movements seemed to accelerate the progression of cervical instability in athetoid CP patients.

Athetosis↗

Deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization studies of Exophiala dermatitidis and Exophiala jeanselmei.

Exophiala dermatitidis and Exophiala jeanselmei share similar morphological features and have been confused with each other. To clarify the relationship between the two fungi, we conducted a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-DNA hybridization study using a dot blot method. Between E. dermatitidis and E. jeanselmei, only a very low level of DNA relatedness was seen and it was confirmed that these two fungi are distinct species based on DNA similarity. Close correspondence of DNA from the isolates of E. dermatitidis was obtained, whereas the isolates of E. jeanselmei were divided into 6 groups according to their DNA similarity and a possibility was shown that E. jeanselmei is composed of genetically heterogeneous groups. The subdivision of the species E. jeanselmei by the DNA-DNA hybridization method was in agreement with serotyping exoantigens. This result suggests that DNA-DNA hybridization studies provide an excellent tool for the identification and grouping of pathogenic dematiaceous fungi.

DNA, Fungal↗

A case of dengue hemorrhagic fever in a Japanese child.

A 6-year-old Japanese girl contracted a febrile illness with hemorrhagic manifestations when she traveled in Indonesia. A remarkable decrease in the numbers of platelets and white blood cells was observed in her acute-phase blood specimens. Her father, who accompanied her, showed dengue fever-like symptoms at almost the same time as her illness. It was determined by serological tests that they were infected with dengue virus type 1. Moreover, she showed a secondary antibody response to the flavivirus due to the pre-existing antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus. This is the first confirmed case of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Japanese people.

Child↗

Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmia after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Treadmill exercise electrocardiography (TE) was recorded in 50 patients to evaluate the incidence of exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in a group of patients who underwent corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot (TF) more than four years previously. The results of rhythm evaluation were correlated with cardiac catheterization data as well as clinical information such as the age at surgery and the interval from surgery. Of the 50 patients tested, ventricular premature contraction (VPC) was confirmed in 12 patients (24%) on TE, while five patients (10%) demonstrated VPC on the standard ECG. The interval from surgery was significantly longer in those patients with VA (Group 1) than those without VA (Group II) on TE (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference of the age at corrective surgery between the two groups. In group I, the preoperative hemoglobin level was higher (p less than 0.05) and the right ventricular ejection fraction was lower (p less than 0.01). Exercise-induced VAs are closely related to the length of period after surgery and the depressed right ventricular function.

Adolescent↗

Angiosarcoma with dermal melanocytosis.

We report a case of angiosarcoma and dermal melanocytosis occurring simultaneously in the same lesion. We examined the primary and 2 metastatic lesions. Histopathologically, the anaplastic angiosarcoma cells had a tendency to form irregularly shaped small cavities. Immunohistochemically, they were strongly reactive with Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEAI) stain. The mid and deep dermis of the same lesion had spindle or elongated slender melanocytes containing melanin granules. The melanocytes were positive with S-100 protein stain. Ultrastructurally, pinocytotic vesicles, fine filaments, and Weibel-Palade body-like dense granules were observed in the cytoplasm of angiosarcoma cells. Dermal melanocytes had external lamina and melanosomes in various stages. The melanocytes showed no similarity to the neoplastic tumor cells and there was no apparent intermediate form between the 2 kinds of cells. The etiological implications of dermal melanocytosis with a tumor of vascular origin are discussed.

Cell Division↗

Transient infantile hyperthyrotrophinaemia.

Sixteen cases of transient infantile hyperthyrotrophinaemia were followed up for two to seven years. Concentrations of serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and free thyroxine were maintained within the normal range in all cases. All but one child, who had a hearing disturbance, showed normal mental development with normal physical and skeletal maturation. Eleven children had normal concentrations of serum thyroid stimulating hormone and no signs or symptoms of thyroid dysfunction; in three children, diffuse small goitres developed and two further children showed relapse with slightly raised concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone. It is concluded that 'transient infantile hyperthyrotrophinaemia' is a syndrome, which differs from typical transient neonatal hypothyroidism, and that careful follow up is necessary because some children show signs of mild pituitary-thyroid dysfunction in later childhood.

Child Development↗

Genetic and clinical studies of Japanese patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

We examined the DNA analysis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) patients and their families from Nagano and Hiroshima prefectures in Japan using recombinant DNA techniques and compared the results with the clinical features. This study indicated that the valine-methionine change prealbumin gene was closely related to the clinical features of type 1 FAP. The DNA analysis was valuable for the definite diagnosis of type 1 FAP even in sporadic and asymptomatic cases. FAP patients from Iiyama city and Ogawa village area in the Nagano prefecture had the same mutation despite differences in clinical features. The onset of the sporadic FAP cases was later than that of the FAP patients who had family histories.

Adult↗

Vesicular pemphigoid--ultrastructural and immunoelectron microscopic study.

We report a patient with vesicular pemphigoid who showed clinically numerous small vesicles and figurate erythema over the trunk and extremities. Although large blisters were absent, immunofluorescent study revealed IgG and C3 deposition at the basement membrane zone of the lesional skin. The patient responded well to the combined use of corticosteroid and dapsone. Immunoelectron microscopy showed IgG and C3 deposition at the undersurface membrane of the basal cells and the lamina lucida. Electron microscopy of the nonvesiculated early erythematous skin showed small vacuoles and lacunae along the uppermost portion of the dermis. Although the clinical features of this patient and the good therapeutic response to dapsone were atypical, the results of immunopathology and immunoelectron microscopy were consistent with typical pemphigoid.

Aged↗

Effect of cerebellectomy on reflex micturition in the decerebrate dog as determined by urodynamic evaluation.

The effect of cerebellectomy on reflex micturition in the decerebrate dog was investigated by cystometric and striated urethral sphincter EMG studies. Before and after cerebellectomy, reflex micturition consisting of bladder contraction and spasmodic contraction of the striated urethral sphincter occurred when a critical degree of filling was reached. Cerebellectomy showed no influence on the striated urethral sphincter EMG activity. However, cerebellectomy produced a significant decrease in threshold volume and threshold pressure during the collecting phase, and also in the contraction pressure and voided volume of the emptying phase. The present study suggests that the cerebellum plays an inhibitory role in the collecting phase and a facilitatory role in the emptying phase during the entire reflex micturition cycle of the decerebrate dog. Further study will have to be done concerning the neurotransmission mechanism that causes these different effects in the collecting and emptying phases.

Animals↗

Morphological and stereological characterization of hepatic foci of cellular alteration in control Fischer 344 rats.

Quantitative evaluation of altered hepatocellular foci (AHF), followed by stereological analysis was performed on standard hematoxylin and eosin-stained liver sections from control Fischer 344 (F344) rats of both sexes from seven 2-yr carcinogenicity studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Liver samples were collected at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and/or 24 months on study. Although AHF had a broad spectrum of morphological features, they could be classified into the following 5 types using previously published criteria: basophilic, eosinophilic, clear, vacuolated, mixed cell foci. Approximately 50% of the animals had foci at 6 months, and the incidence reached nearly 100% at 15 months in both sexes. The number, size and volume fraction of AHF increased with age in both sexes; these changes were most evident for basophilic and clear cell foci. The number of basophilic foci was significantly greater in females than in males while clear cell foci were more numerous in males. This sex difference was observed at each time point. Mean number of all types of AHF in males and females at 24 months was 547 and 460 per cubic centimeter of liver, respectively. Despite the high incidence of AHF in control rats, the incidence of hepatocellular neoplasms is low. The implication is that most foci do not progress to neoplasia in control F344 rats used in 2-yr studies.

Animals↗

Documenting foci of hepatocellular alteration in two-year carcinogenicity studies: current practices of the National Toxicology Program.

Altered hepatocellular foci (AHF) can be reliably identified in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections of liver from interim and final sacrifice intervals in 2-yr carcinogenicity studies in rats. While most AHF can be categorized on the basis of a defined set of descriptive terms, viz., basophilic, eosinophilic, clear vacuolated, and mixed foci, exposure to hepatocarcinogenic agents may induce unique types of AHF which should be distinguished from those that occur more commonly. It is proposed that unique treatment-associated AHF be classified as atypical AHF and that they be completely described in the pathology narrative accompanying the study. Since profound changes in the number and size of AHF have been documented in Fischer 344 rats with mononuclear cell leukemia, it is recommended that liver focus data from leukemic animals be censored in assessing potential effects of treatment on AHF. At the present time, there are insufficient data to allow routine use of AHF in regulatory decision-making in the absence of a liver tumor response. However, such data may form part of weight-of-evidence considerations used by regulatory bodies when accompanied by a concomitant liver tumor response.

Animals↗

Observations on altered hepatocellular foci in National Toxicology Program two-year carcinogenicity studies in rats.

Retrospective characterization of morphological and stereological features of altered hepatocellular foci (AHF) in hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)-stained sections was performed on 6 conventional 2-yr carcinogenicity studies conducted in Fischer 344 (F344) rats by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). In 3 of these studies where there was clear evidence of hepatocarcinogenicity [1-amino-2,4-dibromoanthraquinone (ADBAQ), C.I. Acid Red 114, methyl carbamate], there was greater morphological variability in AHF than in the studies of chemicals that were not hepatocarcinogenic [4-hydroxyacetanilide, epinephrine, dimethoxane]. In addition to having the expected types of AHF, rats treated with ADBAQ, C.I. Acid Red 114, and methyl carbamate had atypical basophilic AHF. In addition, atypical eosinophilic AHF were present in rats treated with ADBAQ. Both types of atypical AHF showed a morphological spectrum and sequential changes suggesting they could develop into hepatocellular neoplasms. For the 3 liver tumor positive studies, there were dose and time-dependent increases in stereological parameters for the atypical as well as commonly occurring clear, vacuolated, and mixed cell AHF. Consistent stereological changes were not found for commonly occurring basophilic and eosinophilic AHF. Aside from some decreases in stereological measurements in some rats treated with 4-hydroxyacetanilide and epinephrine, there were no significant quantitative changes in AHF in the three liver tumor negative studies. These results show that hepatocarcinogens may induce unique types of AHF in conventional 2-yr carcinogenicity/toxicity studies in rats and may cause quantitative increases in commonly occurring clear, vacuolated, and mixed cell AHF. Such qualitative and quantitative changes are potentially useful predictors of hepatic neoplasia.

Animals↗

Purification and properties of multiple forms of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase from monkey liver.

Two major and two minor forms of dihydrodiol dehydrogenase with similar molecular weights of around 36000 were purified from monkey liver cytosol. All the forms oxidized trans-dihydrodiols of benzene and naphthalene and reduced aromatic aldehydes, but showed differences in charge, specificity for other substrates and inhibitor sensitivity. One major (pI 8.7) and one minor (pI 7.9) form of the enzyme exhibited high activity for alicyclic alcohols and sensitivity to o-phenanthroline. The other major form (pI 6.2) oxidized 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids and was inhibited by dexamethasone and indomethacin, whereas the other minor form (pI 5.8) showed high reductase activity for aldehydes including D-glucuronate and sensitivity to barbital and sorbinil, and cross-reacted with human aldehyde reductase. The results indicate that the multiple forms of monkey liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenase are indanol dehydrogenases, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and aldehyde reductase.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗