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Biomedical subjects

T Niimi

Publications and source records attributed to T Niimi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[A clinical study of respiratory infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)].

We investigated patients with positive sputum for MRSA at Daido Hospital. The study was conducted from 1990 to 1991. The number of cases with positive sputum for MRSA is moderately increased. We classified 116 MRSA isolated cases into three groups, 67 cases of colonization with MRSA, 26 cases of suspected bronchopulmonary infection, and 23 cases of bronchopulmonary infection with MRSA. The coagulase types of MRSA were type II or type II + III. Examination of the susceptibility to antibiotics of MRSA showed that all MRSA strains were susceptible to sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, arbekacin, and vancomycin. A few strains were resistant to rifampicin. There were no differences in coagulase types and susceptibility to antibiotics between the three groups. Bronchopulmonary infection with MRSA was frequently associated with underlying bronchopulmonary disease, whether malignant or not. Risk factors for MRSA bronchopulmonary infection could not be identified, but the prognosis of MRSA bronchopulmonary infection was poor in cases with higher grade of performance status. MRSA eradication rate in sputum after therapy was low, and was not improved by adding inhalation of antibiotics including vancomycin to systemic chemotherapy. This investigation demonstrates the importance of environmental prevention of MRSA infection in hospitals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Trehalase from male accessory gland of an insect, Tenebrio molitor. cDNA sequencing and developmental profile of the gene expression.

A cDNA of alpha alpha-trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) from a cDNA library of male bean-shaped accessory gland of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, has been isolated by the homology screening approach. Sequence analysis of the cDNA (1830 bp) revealed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 555 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 64457. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarities to rabbit small intestine and Escherichia coli trehalases. Northern blotting and semi-quantitative PCR analyses revealed that a trehalase transcript with about 2.0 kb was abundant in bean-shaped accessory glands. In the glands, the amount of trehalase transcript increased from 1 to 2 days after adult ecdysis. These tissue- and stage-specific gene expressions of trehalase corresponded to the tissue- and stage-specificity of trehalase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The protective role of polyphenols in cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide.

A variety of synthetic and natural polyphenols protect mammalian cells from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cytotoxicity of H2O2 on Chinese hamster V79 cells was assessed with a colony formation assay, and several polyphenols prevented the decrease in the number of colonies caused by H2O2. A study of the structure-activity relationship revealed that affinity of the polyphenols for the cell membrane and the presence of an ortho-dihydroxy moiety in their structure proved essential to this protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Biosynthesis of NAD-sorbitol dehydrogenase is induced by acclimation at 5 degrees C in diapause eggs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

1. In diapausing eggs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, activity of NAD-sorbitol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.14, SDH) is almost negligible, but is increased by acclimation at 5 degrees C (Yaginuma et al., 1990, J. comp. Physiol. B160, 277-285). To elucidate the mechanism regulating SDH activity, the following experiments were conducted. Anti-SDH serum was made in a mouse using purified sheep liver SDH. 2. This antiserum reacted with Bombyx egg SDH purified partially by Blue Sepharose CL-6B and Sephacryl S-300 column chromatographies. 3. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analyses using the antiserum showed that SDH activity was correlated with the amount of the enzyme protein. 4. These results indicate that biosynthesis of SDH is induced by acclimation at 5 degrees C in diapause eggs of B. mori.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1992

[Bedridden elderly and dementia].

The purpose of this study is to clarify possible correlations between dementia and long term bedridden elderly patients in our special nursing home and geriatric hospital. At the time of our study, 42.6% of all our patients were bedridden, and the ratio increased in those groups of advanced age. The percentage of bedridden female patients was higher than that of males. Most bedridden patients, suffered disorders of the nervous system particularly disorders caused by cerebrovascular disease. Among the bedridden patients, the incidence of dementia was 82.8%. In most these cases, the degree of dementia was severe. The types and respective percentages of dementia were as follows: Vascular type 45.1%, Alzheimer's type 23.2%, mixed type 19.5% and others 12.2%. We think that Alzheimer's type dementia may cause a patient to become bedridden. On the other hand, vascular type dementia may be promoted by a patient's being bedridden for a long time. Tube-fed patients comprised 20% of all bedridden patients and all of these patients showed dementia. We believe that a patient's getting out of bed and receiving rehabilitation as soon as possible is vital to the prevention of becoming permanently bedridden. In respect to the present study of bedridden dementia patients, we would like to further study tube feeding and terminal care.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Five year follow-up study on dementia in institutions for the elderly].

The purpose of this study was to clarify the prognosis of senile dementia based on a 5-year follow-up study in institutions for the elderly. The subjects consisted of 747 cases over 60 years of age. Of these 316 cases showed clinical dementia but 431 cases had no intellectual disturbance in July, 1987. The mortality rate (56.3%) of the demented group was significantly higher than that (31.8%) of the non-demented group. The mortality rate of patients increased with aging. However, the mortality rate of the demented group did not correlate with the severity of dementia. An autopsy study revealed that the direct causes of death in 51.1% of demented patients were pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases. Among the demented patients followed up for 5 years, 22.5% showed severe worsening of dementia, 25.8% showed slight or moderate degree of worsening and 51.7% showed no change. Factors causing exacerbation of dementia included cerebrovascular disease and bone fracture.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Intellectual ability and activity of daily living of centenarians in institutions for the elderly].

The purpose of this study was to assess the intellectual ability and activity of daily living (ADL) of 12 centenarians in institutions for the elderly and to compare them with individuals in the 62-99 age group. At the time of our study, 66.7% of the centenarians were severely demented, three quarters of them suffering from Alzheimer's type dementia and the other one quarter the mixed type. There were qualitative differences between non-demented centenarians and the demented elderly in general, particularly in regard to understanding of surrounding objects and the presence or absence of mental symptoms indicating intellectual deterioration. A total of 50% of the centenarians were bedridden, but 41.7% of them could eat without assistance. Intellectual ability and ADL directly decreased with aging. We think centenarians do not present a special case and our clinical observations suggest a continuous process of aging. Five of the centenarians recently died and were autopsied. The agreement rate between clinical diagnoses and pathological findings with respect to dementia was 80%.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

[A case of an aged patient suspected of craniopharyngioma with a chief symptom of eunuchoidism accompanied with panhypopituitarism].

A 78-year-old man with developmental disturbance of the genital organs and eunuchoidism was reported. He also had a high pitched voice, thickness of the lower lip and kyphosis of the thorax. He seemed to be fretful, but his intelligence was normal. Neurological tests revealed bilateral hemianopsia and decreased tendon reflexes. A plain skull radiograph clearly showed an egg shaped calcified mass extending upward from the sella turcica which resembled a ballooning shape. Brain CTs showed a high density round mass which expanded the sella turcica and raised the floor of the third ventricle. The inner part of the tumor showed irregular high density. T1-weighted MR imaging revealed an iso signal intensity, and T2 showed low signal intensity in the mass. These findings strongly supported the diagnosis of calcificated craniopharyngioma. Endocrinological study showed panhypopituitarism caused by the tumor compressing the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. The main reasons why there were no apparent symptoms of hypopituitarism were because the receptors were up-regulated and secondarily because the thyroid and the adrenal cortical functions decreased while struggling to maintain balance with each other. There was also a possibility that these symptoms might have been masked by normal aging. Benign monoclonal hypergammopathy was also indicated, although we could not find a clear correlation between this finding and others.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1992

15N and 13C labeling of Escherichia coli tRNAs toward the NMR analysis.

Escherichia coli tRNAs were labeled with stable isotope 15N in vivo. Three species of tRNA, tRNA(Glu), tRNA(Lys) and tRNA(Ile), were purified by an HPLC system and their NMR spectra were observed. In heteronuclear 1H-15N multiple or single quantum coherence (HMQC or HSQC) spectra, the crosspeaks corresponding to NH3 of U and NH1 of G can be distinguished clearly since their 15N chemical shifts are significantly different from each other. Thus, this combination of 15N-labeling and the proton detected heteronuclear experiments are useful for the signal assignment and the conformational analysis of tRNAs. Furthermore, C1'- selective 13C-labeling of nucleotides was examined in vivo in order to resolve the H1' signals of tRNAs. By using a newly constructed E. coli mutant strain, the isotopic enrichments of more than 90% at C1' and of less than 10% for other ribose carbons were achieved.

Carbon Isotopes↗
PubMed1992

[A case of hCG-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung--clinical utility of serum hCG levels].

We describe a case of hCG-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung in a 73-year-old man who had gynecomastia associated with high serum concentration of hCG. Serum hCG levels fluctuated in parallel with the response of the cancer to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The patient was admitted to our hospital with a huge mass shadow in the right lung filed on chest X-ray film on July 31, 1989. Physical examination revealed bilateral gynecomastia. Serum hCG and beta-hCG were 1108.0 mIU/ml (Normal less than 2.0) and 31.9 ng/ml (Normal less than 1.0), respectively. Clinical staging was T2N1M0, determined by radioisotope scanning of bone, and CT scans of the chest, brain and upper abdomen. Right upper and middle lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed on August 18, 1989. The tumor, 6 x 6 x 8 cm in size, was located in the middle lobe and was histologically confirmed to be large cell carcinoma of the lung. A few of small nodules found on the surface of the middle lobe at thoracotomy were histologically proved to be pleural dissemination. Metastatic involvement was present in the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. The pathological stage was concluded to be T4N2M0. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining reaction for hCG within some of the tumor cells. Three weeks after the operation, serum hCG had decreased rapidly but did not reach the normal range. Two courses of DDP, VDS, and MMC were given at four week intervals. Following chemotherapy, serum hCG decreased to the normal range. He was discharged from our hospital on November 29, 1989.2+ useful parameter for the evaluation of treatment and the prediction of prognosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[A follow-up study by MRI and enhanced-MRI in a case of cerebral tuberculosis].

We report a case of cerebral tuberculosis following miliary tuberculosis. A 54-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October 1990 because of fever and general fatigue. Chest x-ray film on admission showed diffuse granular shadows in both lungs. Tubercle bacilli were seen in the sputum (Gaffky 5) by the Ziehl Neelsen's staining, and anti-tuberculous therapy was quickly started. But a few days after admission, the disturbance of consciousness, neck stiffness, and headache appeared. The examination of cerebrospinal fluid disclosed that leucocytes was increased in number, and that ADA was elevated to 14.6 IU/l. Tubercle bacilli were detected from cerebrospinal fluid by culture. Although CT scan of the brain was normal at first week of admission, brain CT at eighth week of admission showed several nodulus enhanced with contrast medium. The findings were confirmed by T2 weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) as high intense areas. Although T1 weighted MRI showed isointensity of the gray matter, T1 weighted MRI enhanced by Gd-DTPA revealed abnormal enhancement. At twenty-ninth week of admission CT showed no abnormality even by contrast enhancement, but enhanced T1 weighted MRI revealed a small lesion with enhancement which was not shown by CT. MRI enhanced by Gd-DTPA was more useful for evaluating cerebral tuberculosis than brain CT.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1991

[Clinical and pathological study of cerebrovascular disease in the 60-101 age group].

The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical and pathological characteristics of cerebrovascular disease in nonagenarians and centenarians. In all autopsied cases from 1981 to 1986 (60-101 years old, 138 men and 157 women), cerebrovascular disease was observed in 32 cases (90-101 years old, 8 men and 24 women) and 174 cases (60-89 years old, 95 men and 79 women) in our hospital. The incidence of cerebrovascular disease was 58.3%, 68.8%, 75.1% and 64%, pathologically, in their sixties (60's), seventies (70's), eighties (80's) and over nineties (90's) respectively. In those who had cerebrovascular disease, cerebral infarctions were found in 79.9% of the cases of the under-90 group and 81.2% of cases of the over-90 group. In both groups, infarction was mainly found in over 2 regions, in the putamen, caudate, thalamus and in the white matter and cortex of the frontal lobe. In the over-90 group, the medium-sized infarctions decreased and small-sized infarctions increased. Cerebral hemorrhages were found in 16.1% of cases in the under-90 group and 12.6% of cases in the over-90 group. In the over-90 group, large-sized hemorrhages were found in 75%, and the incidence of hemorrhages was 50%, 50% in the lentiform nucleus and the subcortex respectively. The frequency of mental symptoms, frontal signs and oral dyskinesia in the over-90 group was significantly higher than in the under-90 group. The onset of cerebrovascular attacks was unknown in 43.8% cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[An autopsy case of progressive supranuclear palsy with central pontine myelinolysis].

An autopsy case of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) associated with central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is reported. A 73-year-old male patient suffered from gait disturbance for about 5 years. The clinical features were characterized by gradual development of supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, neck dystonia, dementia and pseudobulbar palsy at the advanced stage of his illness. Treatment with levodopa did not improve his neurological signs and symptoms. PSP or multiple system atrophy was considered as a clinical diagnosis of the patient. He died of pneumonia, acute pancreatitis and liver dysfunction in November 1985. The main neuropathological findings were neuronal loss and gliosis with neurofibrillary tangles of globose type in the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra and dentate nucleus, and at the base of the pons, bilateral and symmetrical demyelination was found. In addition, myelin staining revealed circumscribed pallor in the cerebral white matter. The histologic diagnosis was PSP associated with CPM. An association of PSP with CPM is rare in the elderly and possible etiologic factors of both diseases were discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[The relation between ECG findings and lesions of acute and old myocardial infarction in autopsy cases].

Sixty-four elderly autopsy cases with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were investigated in Nagoya Koseiin Geriatric Hospital. First AMI was observed in 35 cases, and recurrent AMI in 29. The primary causes of death were cardiac rupture and congestive heart failure in the first AMI and the recurrent AMI, respectively. The most frequent ECG findings before AMI were ischemic ST-T-change (57%) and Q-QS abnormality (41%) on the first and recurrent AMI, respectively. The ECG findings were normal in 6 (21%) of 29 recurrent MI cases. There was a tendency towards Q-QS abnormality in large size old MI, but not in small size MI. In 29 cases with recurrent AMI, the positional relationship between the old MI and the AMI was classified into 3 groups of different area, same area, and different and same area according to the Maccarie classification. The frequency in our cases was similar in the 3 groups. Ten cases with different area were further classified into 3 groups, i.e. opposite, adjacent, and opposite and adjacent. Opposite cases consisted of 4 (40%) cases, while opposite and adjacent consisted of 6 (60%). It is suggested that the recurrent AMI is more likely to be fatal when AMI occurs opposite to a previous lesion rather than adjacent to an old lesion.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Mechanisms of molecular recognition of tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.

Interactions of Escherichia coli isoleucyl- and glutamyl-tRNA synthetases and their cognate tRNAs were analyzed by phosphate-alkylation mapping with N-nitroso-N-ethylurea and/or by 1H-NMR analysis. When E. coli tRNA(Ile) was bound with isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, many of the phosphate groups in the anticodon loop and stem and in the D-stem were protected from alkylation. This result is consistent with that of analysis of imino proton resonances due to the secondary and tertiary base pairs. These analyses also suggested that the L-shaped tertiary structure of tRNA(Ile) is distorted upon complex formation with IleRS because of disruption of some tertiary base pairs. In the case of E. coli tRNA(Glu), several phosphate groups in the D-stem and the variable loop were significantly protected by the cognate synthetase. These results indicate that the two tRNAs, unlike other tRNAs studied so far, have some of the "identity determinants" in the D-stem and/or in the anticodon stem.

Alkylation↗
PubMed1991

[A case of unusual branching and aberrant course of the segmental vein (V2) in the upper lobe of the right lung].

Two right pulmonary veins emptying into the left atrium is the normal state. We describe a case observed at operation in which three pulmonary veins were present on the right side and emptied into the left atrium; a third vein arised from the dorsal part of the upper lobe and followed an abnormal extrapulmonary course. Right lower lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were carried out for a 73-year-old male with lung carcinoma. At operation, an aberrant branching vein arising from the upper lobe descended dorsally to the right main bronchus and emptied into the left atrium at the middle point between carina and inferior pulmonary vein. The intermediate bronchus lay between the anomalous vein and superior pulmonary vein. Conventional tomogram, CT scan and pulmonary angiogram showed that pulmonary arteries and bronchi were normal in their pattern of branching and distribution, and that the anomalous vein observed at operation was comprised of V2a and V2b according to the system of naming on Yamashita's. Infrequent variations of pulmonary veins are to be kept in mind to that operation may be performed in safety.

Aged↗