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Biomedical subjects

Y Nemoto

Publications and source records attributed to Y Nemoto.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Prevention of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus carrier state.

By means of passive and active immunization with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine, 396 of 407 babies born to hepatitis B antigen-positive carrier mothers, were protected from establishing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier state during a follow-up period of 12 months or longer. Four infants developed the HBV carrier state before the completion of the immunoprophylaxis schedule, and another seven developed the state after the completion of the schedule. Seroconversion of anti-HBc was observed in 26.8% of the successfully protected infants. In Japan a nationwide program to prevent the vertical transmission of HBV with these procedures was established in 1986, and so liver diseases due to HBV are expected to be eliminated in the near future.

Carrier State↗

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors: significance of associated hemorrhage at MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 35 patients with intramedullary spinal tumors were reviewed. Hypointense areas on both T1- and T2-weighted images were seen within or around eight tumors, all of which were in the cervical cord. Hypointensity at the tumor margin was seen in seven cases. Hypointensity within the tumor was seen in two cases. (One case had both types of hypointensity). In seven surgically confirmed cases, hypointensity at the tumor margin was found to be a relatively firm pseudocapsule, and hypointensity within the tumor corresponded to intratumoral hematoma. All of the tumors with hypointensity were ependymomas at histologic examination. When MR imaging shows an intramedullary tumor with hypointensity at the tumor margin, it is suggestive, but not pathognomonic, of an ependymoma.

Adult↗

A case of asymptomatic cortisol producing adrenal adenoma.

We describe a man without the clinical findings of Cushing's syndrome, but who harbored an incidentally found cortisol-producing adrenal adenoma. On adrenal 131I-adsterol imaging, there was good uptake to the nodule, but no visualization of the contralateral adrenal. No abnormalities were found in the basal plasma cortisol, ACTH, urinary free cortisol and 17OHCS. However, dynamic hormone assessment revealed the existence of abnormal cortisol secretion: no suppression to dexamethasone, incomplete response to human corticotropin-releasing hormone, and lack of diurnal variation in plasma cortisol. Left adrenalectomy was performed with the diagnosis of cortisol-producing adrenal tumor. The pathological finding was an adrenal adenoma, and the perifusion of the excised tissues revealed a negligible response of the tumor tissue to ACTH though the residual normal cortex responded. Postoperative course was uneventful without replacement therapy with cortisol. It is suggested that the tumor autonomously produced a small amount of cortisol not only insufficient to provide clinical Cushing's syndrome, but also to provide typical suppression of hypothalamo-pituitary corticotroph-adrenal system.

Adenoma↗

Primary malignant lymphoma of the trachea and subglottic region.

A 44-year-old female was admitted with the complaint of choking. On fiberbronchoscopic examination, multiple, polypoid lesions with a smooth surface were exhibited at the cervical trachea. Histological diagnosis was B-cell malignant lymphoma, diffuse, medium sized cell type (LSG classification). No other lesions were detected in the systemic evaluation. After combined chemotherapy and regional irradiation, the tumor disappeared. The clinical and pathological characteristics of this case are similar to those of malignant lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT).

Adult↗

Clostridium botulinum C3 ADP-ribosyltransferase gene. Cloning, sequencing, and expression of a functional protein in Escherichia coli.

C3 ADP-ribosyltransferase is an exoenzyme produced by certain strains of Clostridium botulinum types C and D, which specifically ADP-ribosylates rho and rac proteins in eukaryotic cells. The enzyme was purified from a culture filtrate of C. botulinum type C strain 003-9, and the amino acid sequence from the amino-terminal Ser to Asn192 was determined by Edman degradation. Using a set of degenerate primers based on the sequence, we amplified a part of the gene for this enzyme by polymerase chain reaction. A 2.1-kilobase pair HincII fragment of C. botulinum DNA containing the whole structural gene was then identified by Southern analysis with the polymerase chain reaction product as a probe, and the complete nucleotide structure of the gene together with flanking regions was determined by cloning and DNA sequencing the HincII fragment. The gene encodes a protein of 244 amino acids with a Mr of 27,362 which begins with a putative signal peptide of 40 amino acids. Escherichia coli carrying this gene produced the active enzyme, and about 60% of it was found in the culture medium. Immunoblot analysis with antiserum against the enzyme revealed the presence of two immunoreactive proteins of 27 and 23 kDa in the cytoplasmic/membrane fraction and only the 23-kDa protein in the periplasm and the medium, suggesting that the enzyme expressed is processed in the E. coli, exported into the periplasm and released into the culture medium.

ADP Ribose Transferases↗

Influence of perinatal factors and sampling methods on TSH and thyroid hormone levels in cord blood.

To evaluate the effect of perinatal factors and sampling methods on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormone levels in cord blood, serum TSH, free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations were measured in 124 healthy term neonates. Eighty-eight infants were born in normal vaginal deliveries, 25 were delivered by vacuum extractor and 11 by Cesarean section. There was no significant difference among the three infant groups in the mean TSH levels. Birth weight, the infant's sex, duration of labor and uterotonic agents had no effect on cord serum TSH and free thyroid hormone levels in the neonates born by normal vaginal delivery. To assess the adequacy of specimen collection, mixed cord blood samples, obtained by a direct application of cord on a filter paper, and venous blood withdrawn with a plastic syringe were collected in another 200 infants. There was a significant linear correlation in the TSH concentration in mixed cord blood and cord venous serum from the same individuals, while a poor correlation was found in T4 values from two specimens. Our results suggest that the TSH value in cord blood is less influenced by perinatal factors, including the sampling method, and the mixed cord blood collected by this technique might be a feasible alternative specimen for a TSH screening program with cord blood which is useful in countries where neonatal blood is not available.

Blood Specimen Collection↗

Simultaneous occurrence of SIADH, secondary hypogonadism and alopecia universalis in a woman with IDDM.

Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), hypothalamic hypogonadism and alopecia universalis occurred in a 31-year-old female with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Despite various clinical investigations and careful observation for 20 months, the cause and pathogenesis of SIADH and hypothalamic hypogonadism were not elucidated. The complex of these disorders had not been described. The presence of IDDM and alopecia universalis, in which an autoimmune process has been assumed to be involved, is interesting in considering the pathogenesis of the SIADH and hypothalamic hypogonadism.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

[A case of broncho-bronchiolitis obliterans associated with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome].

A 45-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren's syndrome was admitted because of progressive exertional dyspnea and palpitation. The chest X-ray film was normal except for slight overinflation. Pulmonary function tests indicated severe mixed-type impairment, and arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia. 99mTc-MAA lung perfusion scintigraphy and 81mKr lung ventilation scintigraphy showed multiple nonsegmental defects in both lungs. During six months of observation, the perfusion defect increased in size and intensity, although the chest radiography remained unchanged. The diagnosis of bronchobronchiolitis obliterans (BBO) was confirmed by open lung biopsy. Glucocorticoid therapy was ineffective, and she died of respiratory failure a month after discharge. It is noteworthy that perfusion scintigram demonstrated the progression of the disease much better than chest radiography, which showed no apparent change during the observation period.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Antisense RNA of the latent period gene (MER5) inhibits the differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells.

The MER5 cDNA was cloned from RNA preferentially synthesized in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells during the early period of MEL cell differentiation. To understand the role of the MER5 gene in the differentiation, we have transferred the MER5 cDNA into MEL cells in both sense and antisense orientations under control of the promoter of the human metallothionein gene. Only in the transformants with the antisense MER5 cDNA, did their elevated expression inhibit differentiation. The result suggests that the MER5 gene product may promote early events in the differentiation of MEL cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Environments and conformations of tryptophan side chains of gramicidin A in phospholipid bilayers studied by Raman spectroscopy.

Raman spectroscopy has been used to investigate the hydrophobic interaction of the indole ring with the environments, the water accessibility to the N1H site, and the conformation about the C beta-C3 bond for the four tryptophan side chains of gramicidin A incorporated into phospholipid bilayers. Most of the tryptophan side chains of the head-to-head helical dimer transmembrane channel are strongly interacting with the lipid hydrocarbon chains, and the hydrophobic interactions for the rest increase with increasing hydrocarbon chain length of the lipid. One tryptophan side chain (probably Trp-15) is accessible to water molecules, another (Trp-9) is deeply buried in the bilayer and inaccessible, and the accessibilities of the remaining two (Trp-11 and Trp-13) depend on the bilayer thickness. The torsional angle about the C beta-C3 bond is found to be +/- 90 degrees for all the tryptophans irrespective of the membrane thickness. Binding of the sodium cation to the channel does not change the torsional angles but decreases the water accessibilities of two tryptophans (Trp-11 and Trp-13) considerably. In conjunction with a slight spectral change in the amide III region, it is suggested that the sodium binding causes a partial change in the main-chain conformation around Trp-11 and Trp-13, which results in the movements of these side chains toward the bilayer center. Two models consistent with the present Raman data are proposed for the tryptophan orientation in the dominant channel structure.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Immunochemical identification of the ADP-ribosyltransferase in botulinum C1 neurotoxin as C3 exoenzyme-like molecule.

Botulinum C1 neurotoxin and C3 exoenzyme were purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture filtrate of Clostridium botulinum type C strain 003-9. Both preparations catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the same substrate, the Mr 22,000 rho gene product (Gb). When the light and heavy chains of C1 toxin were separated, ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in the toxin was quantitatively recovered in the light chain fraction. Anti-C1 toxin antiserum precipitated the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and the neurotoxicity of C1 toxin in parallel, whereas it had no effect on C3 exoenzyme. On the other hand, anti-C3 exoenzyme antiserum precipitated the ADP-ribosyltransferase activities of both C3 exoenzyme and C1 toxin. This antibody, however, did not precipitate the neurotoxicity of C1 toxin. The ADP-ribosyltransferase in C1 toxin was quantitatively adsorbed onto the anti-C3 antibody column and separated from the majority of C1 toxin protein. The enzyme was then eluted with acidic urea and Western blotting analysis of this eluate revealed the appearance of a protein band positively stained with anti-C3 antibody at a position similar to that of C3 exoenzyme. Quantitative determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that the C3-like immunoreactivity is present in the C1 toxin molecules at the molecular ratio of 1 to 1,000. These results suggest that the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in C1 toxin is expressed by a C3-like molecule which is present in a small amount in the toxin preparation and appears to bind to the toxin component(s). The above results also indicate that the ADP-ribosyltransferase in C1 toxin is not related to its neurotoxin action.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

[MR images of gliomas].

MR images of 55 gliomas (23 malignant gliomas, 16 Grade I-II astrocytomas, 7 oligodendrogliomas, 5 pontine gliomas, 2 central neurocytomas and 2 ependymomas) were reviewed. Histological diagnosis was obtained in all of these gliomas. Morphologic appearance and signal intensities of each glioma were evaluated on T1 and T2 weighted images. Nearly isointensity areas which correspond to enhanced areas on CT scans were observed in all malignant gliomas, and 19 of 23 malignant gliomas (83%) showed heterogeneous intensities on MR images. On the other hand, 12 of 16 benign astrocytomas (75%), 5 of 7 oligodendrogliomas (71%) and all of 5 pontine gliomas showed homogeneous intensities. All of central neurocytomas and ependymomas were shown as a solid tumor with cysts and heterogeneous intensities. In conclusion, although MR images without Gd-DTPA seemed not to be superior to contrast CT in differentiating malignant gliomas from benign one, it appears significant to know some tissue characteristics on MR images of gliomas in differentiating from the other brain tumors.

Adolescent↗

[MR images of wallerian degeneration--relation between the time and MR findings of wallerian degeneration].

On magnetic resonance (MR) images, wallerian degeneration of the pyramidal tract can be demonstrated as an abnormal intensity showing prolonged T1 and T2 relaxation times corresponding to the corticospinal tract, and/or as shrinkage of the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle and pons. We evaluated 150 cases with supratentorial cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and found the above findings in 35 patients (hematoma 21, infarction 14). The time interval between the ictus of CVA and manifestation of wallerian degeneration on MR images was evaluated. In all 35 cases the foci of CVA located at or extended into the motor cortex, the corona radiata of the pyramidal tract or the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Abnormal signal intensity appeared as early as 5 weeks after ictus and was observed in all 17 cases after 10 weeks. Ipsilateral shrinkage of the cerebral peduncle and the pons has appeared 13 months after ictus. MR appears to be the most useful modality for early detection of waller degeneration.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗

cDNA cloning of Gb, the substrate for botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase from bovine adrenal gland and its identification as a rho gene product.

A 1.5 kilobase cDNA coding for the complete amino acid sequence of Gb, the substrate for ADP-ribosyltransferase in C1 and D botulinum toxins from bovine adrenal gland, has been isolated from a cDNA library of bovine adrenal gland. This cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 21,770 Da consisting of 193 amino acid residues, and the deduced amino acid sequence contains all the partial amino acid sequences reported previously (Narumiya, S., Sekine, A., and Fujiwara, M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem., 263, 17255-17257). Sequence comparison revealed that Gb is identical with the product of human rho clone 12 (rho A). The present results also confirmed our suggestion that the ADP-ribosylation occurs at Asn41 in the putative effector domain of the rho gene product.

Adrenal Glands↗

MR imaging of intraspinal tumors--capability in histological differentiation and compartmentalization of extramedullary tumors.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 29 consecutive patients with intraspinal neoplasms (9 intramedullary tumors, 20 extramedullary tumors) were reviewed to evaluate the utility of MR imaging in distinguishing the intraspinal compartmental localisation and signal characteristics of each lesion. Compartment and histology of all neoplasms were surgically proven. MR correctly assigned one of three compartments to all lesions, 9 intramedullary, 14 intradural extramedullary (6 schwannomas, 3 neurofibromas, 5 meningiomas), and 6 extradural (3 schwannomas, 1 meningioma, 1 cavernous hemangioma, 1 metastatic renal cell carcinoma). All intramedullary tumors showed swelling of the spinal cord itself. In all five extradural tumors a low intensity band was visualized between the spinal cord and tumor. On the other hand, a low intensity band was demonstrated in no cases with intradural tumors. Visualization of this low intensity band is important in differentiating extradural from intradural-extramedullary lesions. We call this low intensity band, "the extradural sign". Signal intensity of intradural tumors varied with histology. In extramedullary tumors, signal intensity of schwannomas was similar to that of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) both on T1 weighted (inversion recovery) and T2 weighted spin echo (SE) images. On the other hand, meningiomas tended to be isointense to the spinal cord on both T1 and T2 weighted SE images. We found relatively reliable signal characteristics to discriminate meningioma from schwannoma.

Astrocytoma↗

MR appearance of Rathke's cleft cysts.

Two of three patients who proved to have symptomatic Rathke's cleft cysts presented with visual field deficit and all with diabetes insipidus. CT showed intra- and suprasellar cystic low density lesions with ring enhancement. MR showed intra- and suprasellar masses. On the T1-weighted images two of the three had hyperintense portions similar to fat and the other a hyperintense portion similar to white matter within the cysts. These portions were isointense to brain on the T2-weighted images in all cases. This characteristic intensity on MR images provides differentiation from cystic pituitary adenomas and cystic craniopharyngiomas, and leads to correct diagnosis of Rathke's cleft cyst.

Adult↗