Obsessive-compulsive characteristics in patients with writer's cramp.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
T Murai
Publications and source records attributed to T Murai.
Involvement of iNOS in postischemic heart dysfunction of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.
We investigated the possible contribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) to postischemic heart dysfunction and injuries in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). SHRSP, 13-14 wk of age, had significantly higher systolic blood pressure and greater heart weight than age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) caused significant and long-lasting increases in the activity and mRNA expression of myocardial iNOS in SHRSP compared with WKY. However, there was no significant difference in the LAD occlusion-induced expression of interleukin-1beta mRNA between SHRSP and WKY. Hemodynamic deterioration and myocardial fibrosis were also observed in SHRSP at 4 wk after LAD occlusion. Continuous administration of 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,2-thiazin (AMT) completely blocked the LAD occlusion-induced increase in the myocardial iNOS activity of SHRSP. Moreover, postischemic heart dysfunction and injuries were also significantly ameliorated by 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-1,2-thiazin (AMT). These results suggest that the increased activity of myocardial iNOS plays a pivotal role in the development of postischemic cardiac dysfunction and injuries in SHRSP with the hypertensive and hypertrophic heart.
Animals↗
In vivo evidence for differential association of striatal dopamine and midbrain serotonin systems with neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease affects various neurotransmitter systems. Using SPECT, the authors measured [(123)I]beta-CIT binding ratios of the caudate, putamen, medial thalamus, and dorsal midbrain over cerebellum in 16 patients with Parkinson's disease, and examined correlations with clinical ratings. Whereas striatal binding ratios (reflecting regional dopamine transporter densities) were associated with motor symptoms, dorsal midbrain binding ratios (reflecting regional serotonin transporter densities) were significantly correlated with the mentation, behavior, and mood subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. These findings indicate that degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and a dysfunctional serotonergic raphe system contribute differentially to motor deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Adult↗
Usefulness of thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone test and nocturnal surge of TSH for diagnosis of isolated deficit of TSH secretion.
Six patients with idiopathic isolated deficit of TSH secretion were examined and reported on. Their clinical symptoms and routine biochemical data were unclear and were not specific for hypothyroidism. Serum triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and TSH levels were slightly low or low-normal. Basal metabolic rate and thyroidal (123)I-uptake were also slightly low or low-normal. The response of serum TSH to TRH stimulation was blunted in all patients. No nocturnal surge of serum TSH level could be seen in any of the patients. Empty sella was revealed in three patients, and pituitary microadenoma in one patient via magnetic resolution imaging. Antihuman pituitary cytosol antibody was seen in five patients. Autoimmunity may have played a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic isolated TSH deficiency. Routine examination of thyroid function cannot easily detect this disease. TSH response to TRH stimulation and nocturnal surge of TSH should be examined when this disease is suspected.
Adult↗
Adrenal insufficiency after incomplete resection of pituitary macrocorticotropinoma of Cushing's disease: role of high molecular weight ACTH.
A 15-year-old girl with Cushing's disease exhibited adrenal insufficiency following incomplete trans-sphenoidal resection of a large pituitary corticotropinoma, approximately 35 mm in diameter. Within two weeks following surgery, her plasma ACTH level decreased from 42 to 13 pmol/l, while, her plasma cortisol levels and urinary excretion of free cortisol decreased from 607 nmol/l and 1112 nmol/day to 94 nmol/l and 55 nmol/day, respectively. Immunoreactive ACTH was characterized in plasma using Sephadex G-75 column chromatography and measuring ACTH with immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) to determine additional peaks, other than the one demonstrated for 1-39 ACTH. In particular, when measured with RIA, a broad peak including the high molecular weight ACTH was detected as well as 1-39 ACTH. The bioactivity of the high molecular weight ACTH in patient plasma was lower than the reference range of 1-39 ACTH, which is determined by the ability of dispersed rat adrenocortical cells to secrete corticosterone. The large pituitary corticotropinoma found in this patient secreted not only 1-39 ACTH but also high molecular weight proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, which could be detected by measuring with IRMA and RIA for ACTH. Based on the results of biological activity and molecular ratios, no positive evidence could be found to support the hypothesis that the high molecular weight ACTH induced any postoperative adrenal insufficiency in this patient. However, based on this study, the possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be carefully monitored, even when post-operative remnant tumor tissue is clearly present in patients with Cushing's disease, accompanied by macrocorticotropinoma.
Adenoma↗
Sudden death due to cardiovascular disorders: a review of the studies on the medico-legal cases in Tokyo.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has a medical examiner system, in which all cadavers classified as "unusual death" in the city of Tokyo should be examined, and if necessary, autopsied to determine the cause of death. Of about 10,000 unusual deaths examined per year, two thirds are usually determined to have died of natural causes. The most common cause of sudden natural death is ischemic heart disease, especially acute myocardial infarction. Pathological examination, however, proves acute myocardial ischemia in only one third of autopsies. Subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage, acute myocarditis and cardiomyopathies and aortic dissection/aneurysm as well as pulmonary thromboembolism are frequent causes of death in medical examiner cases. Both pathological and socio-medical problems associated with these diseases are discussed.
Aortic Aneurysm↗
Content of phylloquinone and menaquinone in the tissues of mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus fed diets containing different forms of vitamin K.
The contents of vitamin K in the plasma and tissues (kidney, liver and gonad) of mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus fed diets supplemented with different vitamin K groups were determined. The vitamin K mainly detected in the gastrointestinal tract of each experimental group was the one supplemented in the respective diet, and all other forms of vitamin K were observed at low concentrations. This implies that the main vitamin K source for mummichog is their food. Further evidence that the main vitamin K source is the food is that the elevation of vitamin K concentrations in the plasma and other tissues in this experiment was brought about by vitamin K added to the feed. The phylloquinone-rich diet raised the phylloquinone concentration in the plasma and the tissues much higher than the diets supplemented with short and/or long chain menaquinones. This indicates that phylloquinone is more easily accumulated into the body of fish than the menaquinone homologues. There were apparent differences in absorption and deposition of vitamin K between females and males. This may be a factor in the high mortality in male mummichog during the spawning season but further clarification of the causes of the mortality is required.
Administration, Oral↗
[The factor of spread of POCT in USA].
In the U.S., with the adaptation of the Diagnostic Related Group/Prospective Payment System(DRS/PPS) of Medicare, and the spread of the Managed Care such as the Health Maintenance organization(HMO), medical services have become limited, and remuneration of medical practice has been markedly restricted. As a result, hospital management has been pressed, and cooperation, merger, and absorption of hospitals is observed among general enterprises. Hospitals have been making efforts to reduce expenses for survival. I introduced a part of the influence of such revisions on the clinical examination field, and the factor of the spread of point of care testing(POCT).
Hospital Administration↗
Development and reproductive capacity of Thrips hawaiiensis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and its potential as a major pest.
The effect of constant temperature on development, reproduction and population growth of Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) reared on a diet of pollen and honey solution was studied. Although hatchability and survival rates from egg hatch to adult were higher than 79% between 15 and 25 degrees C, they were lower than 55% at 10 and 30 degrees C. Developmental rates increased linearly as rearing temperature increased. It was estimated that 153.8 degree-days, above a lower threshold temperature of 10.4 degrees C, were required to complete development from egg to adult oviposition. According to these figures, between 11 and 18 generations of T. hawaiiensis could have developed annually under outdoor conditions in western Japan, between 1990 and 1999. Mean adult longevity decreased with increasing temperature, from a maximum of 102.7 days at 15 degrees C to a minimum of 27.8 days at 25 degrees C. The mean fecundity on pollen and honey solution was highest at 20 degrees C with 536.9 eggs per female. The highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) 0.208 was observed at 25 degrees C.
Animals↗
[Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP)].
We regarded the aminopeptidase LAP (EC 3.4.11.1), AA (EC 3.4.11.2), and CAP (EC 3.4.11.3) as a group of enzymes and presented the method of their fractionation. In addition, we described that when an increase in serum "LAP" activity is observed, it is necessary to consider whether it is derived from LAP, AA, or CAP in order to use that data in clinical diagnosis.
Aminopeptidases↗
[The Endotoxin 100 Reference Standard of the National Institute of Health Sciences (the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Endotoxin 100 Reference Standard) (Control 0101)].
To establish the second lot (Control 0101) of the Endotoxin 100 Reference Standard of the National Institute of Health Sciences (the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Endotoxin 100 Reference Standard), a candidate standard (CS) was prepared and then evaluated. The potency of the CS was assayed against USP Endotoxin Reference Standard (Lot G-1) and defined as containing approximately 100 endotoxin units (EU) per vial by a collaborative study in which 5 laboratories participated. Based on the results, the CS was authorized to be the second lot of the Endotoxin 100 Reference Standard containing 100 EU of endotoxin per vial.
Endotoxins↗
Altered regulation of cell cycle machinery involved in interleukin-1-induced G(1) and G(2) phase growth arrest of A375S2 human melanoma cells.
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibits the growth of A375S2 human melanoma cells by arresting them at G(1) and G(2) phases of the cell cycle. The arrests are preceded by a rapid decrease in kinase activities of cyclin E-Cdk2 and cyclin B1-Cdc2, which are critical for G(1)-S and G(2)-M progression, respectively. IL-1 quickly enhances the protein expression of the CDK inhibitor p21(cip1). The induced p21 binds preferentially to cyclin E-Cdk2, and the increase in p21 binding parallels the decrease in cyclin E-Cdk2 activity. Thus, p21 is likely to be responsible for the inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2 activity and G(1) arrest. Coinciding with the decrease in cyclin B1-Cdc2 activity, there is an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc2, suggesting that an increase in the inactive Tyr-15-phosphorylated form of Cdc2 is involved in the decrease in cyclin B1-Cdc2 activity and G(2) arrest. Furthermore, we found that IL-1 causes rapid dephosphorylation of p107, but not of pRb or p130, while the total protein levels of p130 are increased. Thus, IL-1 may exert its growth-arresting effects via p107 and p130 pathways rather than through pRb.
Cell Division↗
Cytochemical evaluation of localization and secretion of a heterologous enzyme displayed on yeast cell surface.
A starch-utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was constructed by cell surface engineering. Distribution of the heterologous glucoamylase-alpha-agglutinin fusion protein on the yeast cell was analyzed by indirect fluorescence microscopy using an anti-glucoamylase antibody. Most of the intense fluorescence was first localized in the small bud, then observed on the entire cell wall of the daughter and mother cells. Fluorescence also accumulated at the neck region. These observations suggest that the display of the heterologous protein on the cell surface is carried with other cell wall components to the areas in which the cell wall is newly synthesized; the distribution is controlled by the cell cycle. Then, the heterologous protein-encoding gene was expressed in a sec1 mutant, in which secretory vesicles accumulate under restrictive temperature, and the produced protein was detected by immunoelectron microscopy. Most of the gold particles that reacted with the fusion protein were not localized in vesicles but in expanding endoplasmic reticulum. This phenomenon may be due to overproduction of the heterologous protein which was designed to be displayed on the cell wall. Artificial production of heterologous protein may have caused a relative shortage of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchors.
Agglutinins↗
Standard growth curves for Japanese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.
We constructed the standard growth (length/height and weight) curves for Japanese individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Crude height and weight data were collected from 153 males and 99 females with the syndrome, and the collected data were arranged by a mathematical method to construct the curves. Height growth patterns were quite different between PWS and normal children. Mean height of individuals with the syndrome by puberty is -2 SD for normal children, and it drops off far below -2 SD value after puberty. Final mean height is 141.2 +/- 4.8 cm for females (n = 13) and 147.7 +/- 7.7 cm for males (n = 17), showing 15.8 and 21.9 cm below the average height for normal Japanese girls and boys, respectively. Thus, the degree of shortness is more pronounced in male than in female patients. There was no difference in height between those with chromosome 15q deletion and those without. Mean weight at birth of girls (n = 88) and boys (n = 131) were 2.70 +/- 0.45 Kg and 2.62 +/- 0.47 Kg, respectively. These values were smaller than those for normal neonates (P < 0.05, t-test). The weight of PWS children was under the mean value for normal infants by age 2 years, but gradually increase above the mean values for normal children around ages 2-4 years. Overweight in both males and females becomes obvious during prepuberty. Growth patterns are not different between Japanese and Caucasian children with the syndrome. Short stature is more prominent in boys of both ethnic groups, whereas the degree of overweight appears much more severe in Caucasians.
Adolescent↗
Emotional cognition without awareness after unilateral temporal lobectomy in humans.
To investigate the function of the amygdala in human emotional cognition, we investigated the electrodermal activity (EDA) in response to masked (unseen) visual stimuli. Six epileptic subjects were investigated after unilateral temporal lobectomy. Emotionally valenced photographic slides (10 negative, 10 neutral) from the International Affective Picture System were presented to their unilateral visual fields under either subliminal or supraliminal conditions. An interaction between hemispheres and emotional valences was found only under the subliminal conditions; greater EDA responses to negative stimuli compared with neutral ones were observed when stimuli were presented to the intact hemispheres. The findings suggest that nonconscious emotional processing is reflected in EDA in a different manner from conscious emotional processing. Medial temporal structures, including the amygdala, thus appear to play a critical role in the neural substrates for this automatic processing.
Adult↗
Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve: a sudden death case of coronary embolism with myocardial infarction.
Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign tumor, occasionally causing angina or sudden death. We report an autopsy case of an aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma with coronary artery embolism. The patient was a 68-year-old Japanese man who had collapsed suddenly in his house. He was a heavy drinker and had a history of liver disease but no notable cardiac event. The autopsy revealed extensive transmural infarction of the inferior wall of the left and right cardiac ventricles. The distal portion of the right coronary artery (segment 4, NYHA) was completely occluded by tumor emboli of the fibroelastoma. At the site of closure of the aortic non-coronary cusp, there was a typical papillary fibroelastoma, which was considered to have originated the coronary embolization.
Aged↗
Michael addition of selenoamides to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds: stereocontrolled synthesis of delta-oxo selenoamides and their reactivity
[reaction: see text] Lithium eneselenolates generated from selenoamides underwent Michael addition to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketones with high diastereoselectivity to give delta-oxo selenoamides in moderate to high yields within a few seconds. Further selective transformations of the delta-oxo selenoamides were also achieved.
Journal Article↗
Establishment of a simple system to analyse the molecular interaction in the agglutination of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae a-agglutinin, which is involved in mating and covalently anchoring to the cell wall, consists of two components, Aga1p and Aga2p, whose syntheses are individually regulated. To facilitate the analysis of the protein-protein interaction on agglutination between a- and alpha-agglutinins, the construction of a yeast strain (MATa) with the functional protein prepared by genetic fusion of Aga1p- and Aga2p-encoding genes and by the expression system using the UPR-ICL promoter derived from the n-alkane-assimilating yeast, Candida tropicalis, which is functional under the condition of lower glucose concentration was tried and the agglutination ability of the constructed strain was evaluated with a yeast strain (MATa) which expressed AGalpha1 encoding alpha-agglutinin under the control of the same promoter. The genes were integrated into the yeast chromosomes. Cell agglutination between both (MATa) strains was observed microscopically when these two strains were mix-cultured to a glucose-decreased concentration. The agglutination was further confirmed by the sedimentation test and by the quantification using a filter. These results proved that the constructed Aga1p-Aga2p fusion protein was enoughly functional for the interaction with the Agalpha1 protein, and that this phenomenon occurred dependent on glucose concentration, but independent of the peptide pheromones secreted by the cells of the opposite mating types. Using this system, the role of two disulphide linkages between Aga1p and Aga2p on the binding activity between Aga2p and Aga1p was first evaluated. Under the treatment by the SH-compound (dithiothreitol), in which Agalpha2p is easily released into the medium from the intact cell surface, the Aga1p and Aga2p fusion protein was a good tool to make clear the role of the disulphide linkages. As a result, the linkages had a significant effect on not only the assembly but also the binding activity. The novel and simple system described here may further facilitate the study of molecular interaction in agglutination.
Alkanes↗