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Biomedical subjects

T Imamura

Publications and source records attributed to T Imamura.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

[Dumbbell type tumor of a nerve root treated surgically by vertical curvilinear approach].

A 42-year-old man was admitted for further examination of an abnormal shadow on the posterior mediastinum which was incidentally detected by a routine chest X-ray. Myelography followed by computerized tomographic scanning (CT) revealed that a dumbbell shaped tumor had developed in the paravertebral area adjacent to the vertebral canal through an intervertebral foramen. A vertical curvilinear incision centered at T-6 was made with the patient in a prone position. Total laminectomy or T-5 and T-6 and resection of the left 6th rib provided sufficiently wide exposure for a one-stage resection of the tumor. The dumbbell shaped tumor originated from the root of 6th spinal nerve but did not extend to the spinal cord. The extirpated tumor was diagnosed histologically as schwannoma. Because tumor location had been determined preoperatively by CT scanning after myelography, it was possible to perform complete extirpation of the tumor while avoiding the complications of laminectomy and unnecessary thoracotomy.

Adult↗

Recovery of mitogenic activity of a growth factor mutant with a nuclear translocation sequence.

Heparin-binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1) is an angiogenic polypeptide mitogen for mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro and remains biologically active after truncation of the amino-terminal domain (HBGF-1 alpha) of the HBGF-1 beta precursor. Polymerase chain reaction mutagenesis and prokaryotic expression systems were used to prepare a mutant of HBGF-1 alpha lacking a putative nuclear translocation sequence (amino acid residues 21 to 27; HBGF-1U). Although HBGF-1U retains its ability to bind to heparin, HBGF-1U fails to induce DNA synthesis and cell proliferation at concentrations sufficient to induce intracellular receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and c-fos expression. Attachment of the nuclear translocation sequence from yeast histone 2B at the amino terminus of HBGF-1U yields a chimeric polypeptide (HBGF-1U2) with mitogenic activity in vitro and indicates that nuclear translocation is important for this biological response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Synthesis of human gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) during the fetal development of liver.

We have determined expression of human GGT gene encoding gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) during fetal development of liver using the Northern-blot analysis with a cloned human GGT cDNA and immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody. GGT mRNA could be detected as early as the 12th week of gestation. It then increased gradually to a peak of approx. threefold the amount at week 12, at week 40, just before birth. The size of the mRNA in the fetal liver was 2.7 kb and mRNA of the same size was detected both in the human fetal kidney and human hepatocellular carcinoma as well as normal adult liver. Immunohistochemical analyses show that GGT increased as the fetal liver developed in parallel with the increase in mRNA. Histochemically, GGT was shown to be located in the wall of bile canaliculi when synthesis was low in early development, but to be distributed, in addition, all over the cell membrane of the fetal hepatocytes when synthesis was high at the later stage of development.

Blotting, Northern↗

A common Chinese beta-thalassemia mutation found in a Japanese family.

We have identified the substitution of a thymine for a cytosine at nucleotide position 654 in the second intron of the beta-globin gene that causes beta-thalassemia in a Japanese family. This mutation was reported to occur rather frequently in patients of Chinese origin, but has rarely been found in other ethnic groups.

China↗

Genetic polymorphisms of gene conversion within the duplicated human alpha-globin loci.

Of the 645 Japanese subjects studied, we have identified 10 individuals heterozygous for a chromosome with the triplicated alpha-globin loci. The frequency of the triple alpha-loci was 0.008 in this population, while that of the single alpha-locus, i.e., alpha-thalassemia 2 gene, might be lower than 0.0008. Analysis of haplotypes using particular RsaI site polymorphism in the alpha-globin gene complex strongly suggests that the triple alpha loci may have had multiple origins in this population.

Gene Conversion↗

Demonstration of ingested thinner.

Taking a practical forensic case that provided an opportunity, an attempt was made to prove that paint thinner had been ingested by the victim. One ml of standard thinner solution, which was prepared by mixing toluene, ethyl acetate, and isobutanol, was given by gavage to rats, after which, on sacrifice of the animals, the distribution of thinner components in the body tissue and in the gastric contents was examined by gas chromatography, using the salting-out technique and the headspace method. Three thinner components and ethanol, a metabolite of ethyl acetate, were found to be present in the gastric contents, whereas only toluene was found in the blood and in the other tissue. From these results we thus have concluded that paint thinner taken can be proved by detecting the presence of ethyl acetate and isobutanol together with toluene in the stomach, whereas only toluene can be detected in the body fluids and the other tissue.

Acetates↗

[Left ventricular ejection fraction derived from resting 201Tl myocardial images].

To determine if resting 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy (rest-Tl) provides the information on left ventricular function, we compared preliminarily the parameters derived from rest-Tl with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) derived from left ventriculography; while the parameters included Extent Score (ES), Severity Score (SS), Percent Uptake (PU), Area Index (AI). AI was derived from the averaging of [(A/B) x 100] in three or four central slices of short axis view on single photon emission computed tomography (A; area surrounded by inner edge of 201Tl myocardial image, B; area surrounded by outer edge of 201Tl myocardial image). The patients were comprised of 38 males and 16 females with a mean age of 53 years old (range 15-70) and classified into two groups; patients with myocardial infarction (n = 28, Group I), and patients with miscellaneous disease but without myocardial infarction (n = 26, Group II). In Group I, ES, SS and AI correlated with LVEF. If ES was less than 0.30, SS was less than 26.2, or AI was less than 19.8, LVEF was suggested more than 60% with an accuracy of 92%, 85% and 85%, respectively. In Group II, these did not correlate with LVEF. If there were area with PU less than 70% in the region perfused by left anterior descending artery or left circumflex artery, LVEF was less than 60% with an accuracy of 78%. In conclusion, rest-Tl images provide some informations on left ventricular function in some patients.

Adolescent↗

[A case of long-term survival of a patient with complicated diffuse metastatic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis secondary to lung adenocarcinoma].

A case of long-term survival of a female patient with complicated diffuse metastatic leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (DMLC) secondary to lung cancer is reported. A 36-year-old woman, hospitalized with a chief complaint of headache and unproductive cough, was diagnosed as having primary lung adenocarcinoma (T4N1M1 oss) and was given systemic chemotherapy. Although progressive deterioration of her headache continued, repeated neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, and cranial CT scans failed to show evidence of metastasis to the central nervous system, and the only finding suggesting CNS involvement was an elevated CEA level in CSF. Later in the course of her treatment, the patient suddenly lost her vision and subsequently consciousness due to acute increased intracranial pressure, and emergency ventricular drainage was performed for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Malignant cells were found in CSF obtained from a ventricular drainage and she was treated successfully by systemic and intrathecal chemotherapeutic agents. She was discharged after a ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation for hydrocephalus; a double-dome reservoir was used for continuous intrathecal administration of the anticancer drugs, and a shunt filter was located in the tube to prevent the dissemination of cancer cells. In addition to methotrexate and cytosine arabinoside, ACNU and interleukin-2 were administered intrathecally without serious adverse effects, but no apparent therapeutic effects were noted either. She survived over 2 years after DMLC was first diagnosed. At autopsy DMLC secondary to lung adenocarcinoma was confirmed, but no evidence of leukoencephalopathy due to aggressive intrathecal chemotherapy was found. Current therapy for patients with DMLC and its clinical problems are discussed in relation to our experience in this case.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Chronic cervical epidural hematoma diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging].

The clinical picture of spinal epidural hematoma is usually characterized by the sudden onset of pain and acute paraplegia within a few hours. The reports of chronic spinal epidural hematoma above the lumbar level is extremely rare. Here we added one case whose hematoma was at cervical level. A 31-year-old previously healthy male suffered from continuous sharp pain in the back of his neck about 10 weeks before admission. He took analgesic drugs and treated with head traction by his home doctor with minimal relief. 4 weeks later from onset progressive weakness and numbness appeared at his right hand and arm. Physical examination on admission revealed mild monoparesis and sensory disturbance in his right upper limb. There was hyporeflexia of both upper extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; Hitachi 0.2 T) visualized a dorsal epidural space occupying lesion extending from C3 to Th1 vertebral body level. This revealed high signal intensity in T2 weighted image and mixed (low and iso) signal intensity in T1 weighted image corresponding to old hematoma. All his medication was stopped and he treated with collar brace, which improved his neurological status. 3 weeks later, he recovered fully and follow-up MRI revealed the total absorption of the hematoma. Left vertebral angiogram showed that a part of posterior cerebral venous blood drained to cervical vertebral plexus. This finding suggested his epidural bleeding was venous in origin. Rupture of internal vertebral venous plexus that has no valves was considered as the source of spinal epidural hematoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Apolipoprotein E phenotypes and psoriasis].

Using gel isoelectric focusing method, we determine the frequencies of apoE isoform and gene of 32 patiens with psoriasis vulgaris. The patients showed higher frequencies of E3/3 and the allele epsilon 2 and lower frequencies of E3/3 and the allele epsilon 3 than the healthy Japanese control. The tendency to have higher frequencies of E3/2 and epsilon 2 was more apparent in the patients of early onset than of late onset, with severe type than with mild or moderate type, and of universal form of plaque type eruption and guttate form than of localized form of plaque type eruption. These differences fell short of statistical significance. These findings suggest us an important role of apoE2 (allele epsilon 2) over the onset and the clinical severity of psoriasis vulgaris.

Adult↗

[Serum apolipoprotein levels in psoriatic patients].

Serum apolipoprotein and lipid levels were determined in 33 psoriatic patients, 26 males and 7 females, and in 61 normolipemic, non-psoriatic controls matched for age and sex. The psoriatic patients had significantly higher levels of triglyceride and lower levels of apo B. The male psoriatic patients showed a tendency to have lower levels of LDL-cholesterol. The levels of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apo A-I, apo A-II, apo C-II, apo C-III and apo E did not differ significantly from those of the controls. The relevance of these findings to the development of psoriasis remains to be established.

Apolipoproteins↗

[A case of congenital sinus of Valsalva-right ventricule fistula].

A 58-year-Old male was admitted to our hospital because of heart murmur. This heart murmur had been first noticed when the patient was 7 years old, but he had no other symptoms. Color Doppler echocardiography and aortography showed that there was no deformity in the sinus of the Valsalva or in the connection to the right ventricle. Data of cardiac catheterization revealed that the shunt rate was 57% and Qp/Qs was 2.35. He was diagnosed as having congenital fistula of the Valsalva sinus to the right ventricle and an operation was recommended.

Aortic Diseases↗

The major plasma kallikrein inhibitor in guinea pig plasma with contrapsin-like nature.

Kallikrein inhibitor in plasma (KIP) was purified, and the share in the kallikrein inhibitory capacity of guinea pig plasma was estimated by depletion of the inhibitory activity of KIP with anti-KIP IgG. And KIP was characterized the inhibitory activity using various proteases. The purified KIP exhibited a single band on SDS-gel electrophoresis and the molecular weight was 64,000. KIP inhibited plasma kallikrein dose-dependently and time-dependently, forming a complex with kallikrein with the molecular weight of 137,000. Since the kallikrein inhibitory capacity of guinea pig plasma was completely depleted by anti-KIP IgG that inactivated kallikrein inhibitory activity of KIP, KIP was likely to be the major kallikrein inhibitor in guinea pig plasma. KIP inhibited trypsin and elastase, but not chymotrypsin. The Inhibitory spectrum of KIP was different from the spectrum of each protease inhibitor in human plasma, but was similar to the spectrum of contrapsin in mouse plasma. These results indicated that guinea pig plasma had a different mechanism for kallikrein inhibition, compared with human plasma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A pneumotoxin, O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate, induces hemorheological alteration in rats.

O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS-TMP), an impurity present in widely used organophosphorus insecticides, has been shown to induce lung injury after oral administration. To date, very little is known about the hemorheological changes which may occur during the inflammation of lung caused by OOS-TMP. The present study has demonstrated that oral administration of OOS-TMP (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg) to rats produced an increase in whole blood apparent viscosity at 24, 48 and 72 h following the treatment in rats. Concomitantly, the plasma fibrinogen level and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation were increased at 24 and 48 h. There was no change in RBC filterability. Thus, OOS-TMP, a pneumotoxin, was capable of causing a systemic hemorheological alteration, probably via increase in fibrinogen content, an acute-phase protein, in rats.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Complement activation and neutrophil dysfunction in burned patients with sepsis--a study of two cases.

The changes in complement components and neutrophil functions were investigated in two cases of flame burn patients who died of multiple organ failure following septic shock. In the period of bacteremia, complement activation was observed in the plasma of both patients, using an immunoblotting method demonstrating C3a-related antigens. Coincidently, reduced neutrophil function and a decrease in the superoxide and leukotriene producing capacity, were also observed. An in vitro study showed that the capacity to produce superoxide and leukotriene became reduced in normal neutrophils after exposure to complement activated serum. These observations suggested that complement activation, probably brought about by massive bacterial infection, induced the impairment of neutrophil functions and resulted in a further breakdown of the host defence system, thereby leading to sepsis.

Adult↗