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Biomedical subjects

Y Murai

Publications and source records attributed to Y Murai.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Optic neuropathy induced by thinner sniffing].

A case of optic neuropathy induced by thinner sniffing is reported. A 17-year-old girl, who had been sniffing a lacquer thinner for three months, suffered acute blindness followed by optic atrophy. Brain computed tomography revealed symmetrical low attenuation areas in the bilateral putamen. An analysis of the thinner by gas chromatography showed that its major components in a vaporized state were methyl alcohol and metyhl acetate. The optic neuropathy was induced by these solvents. In the diagnosis of the intoxication of mixed organic solvents, the measurement of each solvent in its vapor phase is considered to be quite important.

Acetates↗
PubMed1989

[Evaluation of germanium dioxide neurotoxicity in rats and monkeys].

Toxic side effects of germanium dioxide contained in drugs that promote health, include nephropathy, anemia and peripheral neuropathy. Although the neuropathy, which we are interested in, is believed to occur in the patients taking excessive amounts of germanium dioxide, the pathogenesis of such neuropathy is not well understood. Therefore, we studied whether germanium dioxide causes the degeneration of the peripheral nerve in rats and monkeys. Our results showed that in rats, germanium dioxide administered orally and intraperitoneally, 100 mg/kg per day, 3 days a week for 8 weeks and 400 mg/kg per day, once a week for 8 weeks, respectively, did not produce a degeneration of myelinated fibers in teased fiber preparations and Epon-embedded sections of the peripheral nerve. In two monkeys also, germanium dioxide, administered orally, 30 to 40 mg/kg per day, 5 days a week for 8 months, did not produce a degeneration of myelinated fibers of the sural nerve on biopsy, although our results revealed proteinuria and elevated blood urea nitrogen. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the pathogenesis of germanium dioxide induced neuropathy.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Autosomal recessive motor and sensory neuropathy with excessive myelin outfolding.

Two Japanese persons with consanguinous parents had a motor and sensory neuropathy of the hypertrophic type with excessive myelin outfolding in the myelinated fibers. A morphometric analysis of the biopsied sural nerve was made. Excessive myelin outfolding, segmental demyelination, and remyelination and decrease in the density of both large and small myelinated fibers were evident. Using linear regression, myelin spiral length was shorter relative to axonal area. These patients may have a new variant of hereditary motor sensory neuropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[A case of temporal arteritis associated with marked elevation of serum IgG, IgA levels].

An 84-year-old woman was admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Geriatric Hospital because of knee pain, anemia and hyperglobulinemia. On physical examination, evidence of arthritis was observed in both knees. Nodular temporal arteries were palpable with hypertrophy and weak pulsation. The urine was normal except that the sediment contained 20-30 with blood cells per high power view. Laboratory data showed raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 150 mm per hour, elevation of beta and gamma globulin and mild anemia. Although the levels of serum IgG, IgA were markedly increased, there was no monoclonal component on immunoelectrophoresis. Light microscopy examination of an aspirated specimen of bone marrow showed slight hypocellularity and mild plasmacytosis. However, atypical plasma cells were not observed. Radiographs of the knee showed narrowing of the joint space and calcification of articular cartilage and meniscus. Biopsy of the left temporal artery revealed typical findings of giant cell arteritis. The administration of prednisolone resulted in rapid normalization of laboratory findings. But her arthralgia, which had been relieved by analgesics after admission, was worsened if she took prednisolone without analgesic. Therefore, analgesics were given again with prednisolone for the control of the arthralgia.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[The effect of antileukemic chemotherapy on elderly patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia].

Thirty five elderly patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia were studied to examine the effects of antileukemic chemotherapy according to age group. Complete remissions were obtained in 5 of 10 patients (50%) age 60 to 69 years, in 5 of 14 (36%) age 70 to 79 years, but in 0 of 9 patients over 80 years. Three patients died before chemotherapy. The median survivals of these groups were 337,90 and 76 days, respectively. The median survival of the patients in whom complete remissions were achieved, was 700 days.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[A case of multiple sclerosis with polyradiculitis and spinal subarachnoid block].

A case of 53-year-old female with multiple sclerosis was reported. In August 1987, she suffered from weakness in her legs and urinary retention. These signs had progressed with incomplete remissions and exacerbations. In March 1988, she developed sensory loss of all modalities below C2 level, spastic paralysis of upper extremities and flaccid paraplegia of lower extremities. Electromyography showed evidence of denervation in affected muscles of all extremities and paraspinal muscles. On lumber puncture, spinal fluid pressure fell to 0 mmH2O after removal of the spinal fluid of 12 ml, and the CSF protein was 740 mg/dl, indicating subarachnoid space block. The oligoclonal band was positive. MRI showed swelling in the cervical and upper thoracic cord, and multiple lesions in the periventricular white matter in the cerebrum. We diagnosed this case as multiple sclerosis in combination with acute polyradiculitis. The spinal subarachnoid block was considered to be caused by the swelling of the spinal cord.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[A case of recurrent multiple cerebral infarctions with protein C abnormality].

A 38-year-old man of recurrent episodes of multiple cerebral infarctions with protein C abnormality was reported. He had six episodes of visual disturbance within a year. The neurological examination revealed bilateral visual loss and impaired visual field except for small central area. However, there were no abnormalities in the deep tendon reflexes and muscle strength of all extremities and cerebellar examinations. CT scan revealed multiple low density areas in the bilateral posterior lobes, and cerebral angiography demonstrated the severe stenosis of the ganglionic portion and the supraclinoid portion of the right internal carotid artery. Plasma levels of antithrombin-III activity, plasminogen activity, protein C activity, protein C antigen and protein S antigen were 105, 106, 28, 166 and 120%, respectively. Because only protein C activity decreased markedly, a diagnosis of protein C abnormality was established. We started warfarin therapy under the administration of concentrates of factor IX complex, since then there has been no cerebral accident.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Orthostatic hypotension and prognosis in spinocerebellar degeneration].

To study the prognosis, the patients with various types of spinocerebellar degeneration, examined as inpatients in Department of Neurology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health form 1979 to Oct., 1988, were followed up and classified into three groups, based on their medical records reviewed retrospectively. The survival or death was confirmed for each patient at the end of Oct., 1988. Group I included 11 patients who developed cerebellar ataxia after the symptom or/and sign of orthostatic hypotension. Group II included 13 patients who developed cerebellar ataxia followed by orthostatic hypotension. Group III included 18 patients who showed cerebellar ataxia without orthostatic hypotension. The percentages of the dead patients in groups I, II and III were 82 (9 out of 11), 62 (8 out of 13) and 17 (3 out of 18%), respectively. The median of the age at the onset of the initial symptom or sign of all the patients in each group and the median of the survival interval from the onset of the dead patients were similar among three groups. The median of the age at both the onset and death of the dead patients tended to be higher in group III than those in group I and II. The maximum blood pressure on standing and the difference of the maximum blood pressure between on lying and on standing were not statistically correlated with the survival interval after such blood pressure evaluation among the dead patients in both groups I and II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Somatosensory evoked potentials in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy].

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to posterior tibial nerve (PTN) and median nerve (MN) stimulations were recorded in 30 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Measurements performed include N20-P2 interpeak latency (IPL) for PTN-SEPs, EP-N13 IPL and EP-N20 IPL for MN-SEPs. Limits of normal IPL were defined by the mean + 3S.D. of the normal control group. PTN-SEPs was more sensitive (with 73.3% abnormal) than MN-SEPs (with 33.3% abnormal) and strongly correlated with the clinical signs of posterior column, but not with those of anterolateral column indicated by superficial sensory disturbances and spasticity of lower limbs. Severities of cord compression (sagital diameter/transverse diameter ratio) calculated from the picture of metrizamide CT were not correlated with SEPs findings and clinical signs. In patients with cervical myelopathy, SEPs, especially PTN-SEPs, were thought to be very useful examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Enterohepatitis in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) inoculated perorally with Tyzzer's organism (Bacillus piliformis).

Enterohepatitis was produced in Mongolian gerbils by intragastric inoculation with Tyzzer's organism from natural infection of a gerbil. Death occurred in 50 to 60% animals 5 to 7 days postinoculation (p.i.). On day 3 p.i., when a few necrotic foci appeared in the liver, a large amount of bacterial antigen was present within ileocecal enterocytes and reticuloendothelial cells of the Peyer's patches. Neutrophil and monocyte infiltration was found in the lamina propria. On day 5 or 6 p.i. there was severe necrotizing and hemorrhagic ileotyphlocolitis. Bacterial antigen was abundant within not only enterocytes, but also smooth muscle cells of the ileum and jejunum as well as reticular cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes. On day 7 p.i. the intestinal lesions subsided in the presence of fewer bacteria, while necrotizing hepatitis became well developed. The results indicated that Mongolian gerbils were highly susceptible to the oral route of infection with the Tyzzer's organism.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Monoclonal antibodies which differentiate high- and low-affinity binding sites of interleukin-2.

Five monoclonal antibodies (L15, L20, L23, L34, and L61) against human recombinant interleukin-2 were tested for their effects on the interleukin-2 bioactivity and binding. Four of these monoclonal antibodies, L15, L20, L34, and L61, which had neutralizing activity, completely blocked interleukin-2 binding to the high-affinity receptor. On the other hand, L23, which had a very weak neutralizing activity, blocked interleukin-2 binding to the low-affinity receptor. These results suggest that there are at least two distinct binding sites on the interleukin-2 molecule; those for the high-affinity receptor and those for the low-affinity receptor. These monoclonal antibodies should be useful tools in the study of the interaction between interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[A case of HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) complicated by mononeuritis multiplex].

A 42-year-old woman with progressive myelopathy and mononeuritis multiplex is reported. The neurological examination on admission revealed hyperreflexia of the four extremities with pathological reflexes and moderate muscle weakness of the lower extremities with spasticity. Sensory disturbance was distributed on the areas of the bilateral lateral cutaneous femoral, the superficial peroneal and sural nerves. The antibody to HTLV-I in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid was more than 8192X and 512X, respectively. No sensory potential was recorded in the sensory conduction study of bilateral lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. Corticosteroid therapy caused a marked improvement of the sensory and urinary disturbances and had a slight effect on the spastic gait. Our nerve conduction study found small sensory potentials with normal conduction velocities in the bilateral lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. These results suggested the presence of an axonal degeneration in the peripheral nerves in this case. There have been no reports in the literature regarding a case of HAM with mononeuritis multiplex.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Determination of the exposure concentration of propylene oxide to produce neuropathy in rats].

Although propylene oxide, which is similar in chemical structure to ethylene oxide, is expected to produce neuropathy, there is no convincing evidence of the degeneration of the peripheral nervous system. To determine the exposure concentration of propylene oxide necessary to produce neuropathy in male Wistar rats, we subjected them to repeated exposures of propylene oxide at concentrations of 500, 750, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm. The test rats were subjected to a single 6 hour exposure of propylene oxide at a concentration of 1500 parts per million 5 times a week for 3 weeks. They developed a significant decrease in body weight, abnormal posture of the hindlegs and axonal degeneration of myelinated fibers in the peroneal and sural nerves, the nerves to the soleus muscle, and in the fasciculus gracilis of the spinal cord. Therefore, it was concluded that propylene oxide induces neuropathy in rats characterized by axonal degeneration, similar to that produced by ethylene oxide, and that the exposure to the higher concentration of propylene oxide is more necessary to produce neuropathy than in the case of ethylene oxide neuropathy in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Cutaneous vibration and thermal-cooling threshold in control subjects].

The cutaneous vibration and thermal-cooling thresholds were evaluated on the palmar side of the distal phalanx of the right index finger and on the plantar side of the distal phalanx of the right great toe in 70 control subjects without sensory symptoms and signs, aged from 13 to 83 years, by using a Vibration Sensitivity Tester and a Thermal Sensitivity Tester (Sensortek, N. J., USA). Both vibration and thermal-cooling thresholds of the index finger, and vibration threshold of the great toe were statistically significantly increased with age. Based on the data obtained from these subjects, the lower and upper limits of 95% confidence limit of the predicted value of each of the thresholds for each decade were calculated. These values are useful for the detection of the abnormal cutaneous vibration and thermal-cooling thresholds not only in general neurology, but also in occupational neurology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Somatosensory potentials evoked by magnetic stimulation of lumbar roots, cauda equina, and leg nerves.

Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were studied by noninvasive magnetic stimulation at T-10, T-12, and L-5 vertebral levels and in mid-gluteus muscle and ankle in 27 normal subjects and 7 patients with neurological diseases. Cortical components P2 and N2 were recorded in all normal subjects. The mean peak latencies of P2 were 20.3 +/- 0.9 (standard deviation), 21.1 +/- 1.2, 23.5 +/- 1.4, 27.9 +/- 2.0, and 38.1 +/- 1.8 msec at the T-10, T-12, L-5, midgluteal and ankle sites of stimulation, respectively. No substantial difference in morphology of P2 and N2 was seen between magnetic and electrical stimulation at T-12. Amplitudes of P2 and N2 were maximal after magnetic stimulation at motor threshold. P2 and N2 may originate from the sensory cortex. P2 and N2 evoked by T-10 and T-12 stimulation were normal in peak latency and morphology in patients with polyneuropathy or polyradiculoneuropathy. Peak latencies of P2 and N2 evoked by T-10 and T-12 stimulation were significantly delayed in patients with myelopathy. The patients with radiculopathy showed a delayed peak latency and conduction time of P2 evoked by L-5 stimulation. Magnetic stimulation of spinal root is able to detect lesions of spinal cord noninvasively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Spinal roots of rats poisoned with methylmercury: physiology and pathology.

The evoked potentials in the ventral and dorsal roots were recorded independently by stimulating the sciatic nerve of both control and methylmercury-poisoned rats. Poisoned rats showed markedly decreased amplitudes but normal latencies of the potentials evoked in the dorsal roots. Potentials evoked in the ventral roots had normal latencies and amplitudes. Pathological correlates indicated acute axonal degeneration of the dorsal roots, with a significant decrease of the large and small myelinated fiber densities. The ventral roots were histologically unremarkable. Our pathological confirmation of the electrophysiologic changes in the methylmercury-poisoned rats enables us to substantially assess the pathophysiological aspects of acute lesions in the spinal roots.

Animals↗