Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Y Tokumaru

Publications and source records attributed to Y Tokumaru.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Isolation of Campylobacter spp. from slaughtered cattle and swine on blood-free selective medium.

The charcoal-cefazolin-sodium deoxycholate agar (CCDA) was compared with Butzler agar for selectivity of campylobacters from fecal samples. A total of 279 samples of cecal contents from 176 cattle and 103 pigs slaughtered in Saitama were examined. Fifty-five (31.3%) cattle were found to contain campylobacters by the direct plating culture on CCDA plates, compared with 29 (16.5%) on Butzler agar plates. The positive rates of pig samples on CCDA and Butzler agar were very high, being 96 (93.2%) and 86 (83.5%), respectively. After enrichment culture of 107 cattle specimens in Preston, CEM or Bu 10 broth, the isolation rate on CCDA was also higher (p < 0.01) than that on Butzler agar after enrichment in any medium. These results indicate that CCDA medium is easy to handle without blood and, as to this study shows, is superior to Butzler agar for isolation of Campylobacter species from fecal samples.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical features and factors related to the functional prognosis in Meige's syndrome].

To clarify the factors determining the amelioration of Meige's syndrome, changes of involuntary movements (IVMs) and functional disability, we examined 60 patients with Meige's syndrome during 5 years after the onset. On average, they showed gradual worsening of IVMs for approximately 2.1 years, then the IVMs ameliorated slowly. In many patients, blepharospasm appeared as the first symptom. Subsequent IVMs were seen in vicinity of the muscles of orbicularis oculi. Phasic involuntary contractions changed to tonic ones in some patients. Asynchrony of the IVMs in various facial or neck muscles may be originated from extensive pathological changes and high excitability in the brainstem. The factors determining the amelioration of functional disability are: (1) younger onset, (2) shorter duration from the onset to the period showing the worst symptoms, (3) mild IVMs when the symptoms were the worst, (4) shorter duration from the onset to the beginning of therapy, (5) synchrony of the IVMs between the muscles of orbicularis oculi and other muscles. Methylphenidate, trihexyphenidyl, and ceruletide showed a higher efficiency for IVMs than the other drugs. The drug therapy in Meige's syndrome should be started as early as possible.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1995

[Multivariate analysis of spinal automatism in neurological diseases].

We investigated the relationship between spinal automatism (SA) and other neurological signs and symptoms (pyramidal, extrapyramidal, cerebellar, autonomic) by multivariate analysis in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) 112 cases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 121 cases, and multiple system atrophy (MSA) 115 cases (olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy (OPCA) 55 cases, Shy-Drager syndrome (SDS) 42 cases, striato-nigral degeneration (SND) 18 cases). SA elicitation maneuver we used was pinprick stimulation at the dorsal pedal skin, and all cases showed twitched or phasic triple flexion pattern. As SA was elicited in 19 cases in CSM (17.0%), 23 cases (19.0%) in ALS, 36 cases (31.3%) in MSA, SA was more elicited in MSA than in ALS and CSM (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 by chi-squared test). In MSA, SA tended to be elicited more likely in SDS (21 cases, 50.0%) and in SND (8 cases, 44.4%) than in OPCA (7 cases, 12.7%) (p < 0.01 by chi-squared test). In MSA, the longer the duration of the disease became, the more SA was elicited, but not in ALS and CSM. Multivariate analysis (quantification method type II) showed that clinical signs as a statistical contribution factor for SA elicitation ranked Babinski's sign, micturition disturbance in ALS and CSM and Babinski's sign, orthostatic hypotension in MSA in order: In all 3 diseases, Babinski's sign and autonomic disturbance ranked higher. This conclusion suggested that SA was not always related to the pyramidal tract damage and was associated with the damage of small myelinated fibers in and/or around the pyramidal tract.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Scoliosis in the patients with both severe mental retardation and severe physical disability--computed tomography of paraspinal muscles].

Patients with both severe mental retardation and severe physical disability, so-called "jushouji", often have scoliosis as one of the complications. The correlation between radiological findings of paraspinal muscles and progression of scoliosis was investigated by computed tomography (CT) in 15 patients. We took the CT of paraspinal muscles at the apical vertebral level in each patient, and measured the size of cross-sectional area and the CT value of paraspinal muscles of the both concave and convex side. There was no significant difference of the size of cross-sectional area of the muscles between the convex and concave side. The average CT value of the muscles was normal on the convex side, but abnormally lower on the concave side. Scattered low density areas were recognized in the fascicles of both sides like moth eaten appearance, which was speculated as fatty tissue. The CT value of remaining muscles was within normal range. The CT value on the concave side became lower as the degree of scoliosis progressed. The group who could not keep sitting position independently showed lower CT value on the concave side and had more severe scoliotic curves than the group who could sit independently or with slight support. From the above results, it may be concluded that the paraspinal muscles of the concave side become secondarily atrophic due to disuse, and may not be responsible for the progression of the scoliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The "pseudo-polyneuropathy" type sensory disturbances in cervical spondylotic myelopathy].

We reported the pseudo-polyneuropathy type sensory disturbances in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. We defined this clinical type by objective superficial sensory deficits of all four distal limbs, and excluded the patients having only subjective sensory disturbances. Ten out of 61 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy had sensory disturbances of this type. Two patients noticed difference of the subjective sensations of the upper and lower limbs. Eight patients developed sensory symptoms initially in the upper limbs. Pin-prick sensation was diminished in the upper limbs more predominantly than in the lower limbs. Vibration sense was affected in the lower limbs predominantly. Motor functions were mildly impaired, and muscle stretch reflex of triceps brachii was preserved in all ten patients. Distribution of sensory disturbances of four patients changed in their course. Nerve conduction studies and F-wave latencies were normal. Electromyography showed mild chronic denervation of the C5-C7 innervated muscles. Somatosensory evoked potentials after median or ulnar nerve stimulation showed delayed latencies or attenuated waveforms of N13 as well as P14 peaks. Spinal cord was compressed mainly at C4/5 and C5/6 intervertebral level, shown by myelography, CT-myelography or magnetic resonance imagings. We conclude that the pseudo-polyneuropathy type sensory disturbance of cervical spondylotic myelopathy indicates the lesion at mid-to-low cervical vertebral level. The anatomical substrates for this type of sensory impairment could be caused by combination of the dorsal horn/anterior comissure lesions for the upper limbs, and the anterolateral funiculi lesions for the lower limbs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical difference between "proximal" and "distal" type of cervical spondylotic amyotrophy].

We studied 31 patients with cervical spondylotic amyotrophy. Weakness and atrophy without prominent sensory changes were started from the proximal muscles in 16 patients (proximal type), and from the distal muscles in 15 patients (distal type). In both types, the age at onset of neurological symptom ranged from thirties to sixties, and men were more frequently affected than women. Distal type patients often presented cold paresis and/or postural finger tremor, which occasionally was the initial symptom. Two patients of proximal type had muscular atrophy extended to the distal end. None of distal type patients had extension of atrophy to the proximal muscles during a long course of their illness. Most patients of proximal type had neurogenic changes on electromyography extended to the distal muscles. Neuroradiologically, proximal type patients had a cord atrophy at C4/5 intervertebral level, and distal type had cord atrophy at C5/6,6/7. We assume that the responsible lesion for the cervical spondylotic amyotrophy is in anterior horn at C5-T1 cord level for the proximal type, and at C7-T1 for the distal type. Abnormal venous circulation within the cord may cause the selective involvement of the gray matter.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Chiromegaly in syringomyelia--radiologic studies of hand bones].

Chiromegaly, localized hypertrophy of a hand, is known to be a rare but pathognomonic trophic disturbance in syringomyelia. We recently reported that the sympathetic hyperfunction was associated with chiromegaly. This time we carried out radiological studies of hand bones in 4 patients with syringomyelic chiromegaly. In simple roentogenography, enlargement and enhanced shadows of hand bones were recognized in the chiromegalic side. Radiographic measurements showed metacarpophalangeal length and width were increased by 1.7% and 8.8% respectively compared to the normal side, and metacarpal index was decreased significantly in the chiromegalic side. In X-ray photodensitometry (MD/MS method) of the second metacarpal bones, bone density was increased by 10.6% compared to the normal side. These results suggested that bone hypertrophy was associated with chiromegaly in patient with syringomyelia. Trophic disturbance may exert some influence on the bone tissue.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1994

[Excitability of cervical lower motoneuron in juvenile muscular atrophy of the distal upper limb].

We investigated excitability of cervical lower motoneurons in 18 patients with juvenile muscular atrophy of the distal upper limb (Hirayama's disease), by F wave analysis and electrophysiological estimation of the number of motor units in the abductor pollicis brevis muscles of the affected side. In all the 18 patients, F wave persistencies and numbers of motor units were decreased, whereas amplitudes of single motor unit potentials were increased, compared to those of age-matched normal controls. Patients in a progressive phase showed markedly decreased F wave persistencies, overwhelming the degree of decreases in numbers of motor units. In half of them, F waves were significantly increased in number during neck flexion. On the other hand, patients treated with neck brace and patients having stabilized symptoms with longer duration showed F wave persistence reduction corresponded to the degree of the motor unit loss, and no changes in F wave persistencies in a posture of neck flexion. These results suggest that the disorder is characterized by decreased excitabilities of survived cervical anterior horn cells, as well as denervation and reinnervation, presumably resulting from local compression or circulatory failure by anterior shift of the posterior dural wall during neck flexion.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Pathomechanism of juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity (Hirayama's disease)--extensibility and asymmetry of the cervical posterior dural wall].

We performed myelography in chin-up position during neck flexion in 20 patients with juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity, and we also performed CT-myelography in rotational position during neck flexion in 15 of them. In this disease, in which posterior lower cervical dural wall shifts anteriorly and compresses the spinal cord during neck flexion, we found that the anterior dural shift and cord compression became lessened by making chin-up without changing the position of neck flexion. By measuring the posterior dural length from foramen magnum to C6 vertebra on the profile of myelogram in neutral and neck flexion posture, we found that the posterior lower cervical dural wall of this disease was less extensible during neck flexion than that of control cases. On CT-myelogram the spinal cord compression of muscularly atrophic side increased by the neck rotation to the non-atrophic side during neck flexion, which is the position of maximum extension of posterior dural wall. The spinal cord compression decreased by the rotation to the atrophic side. We think that the low extensibility and asymmetry of posterior lower cervical dural wall may be the cause of this disease and its laterality may be relevant to unilaterality of this disease. These findings could also explain the efficacy of cervical immobilization by using cervical coller.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Juvenile muscular atrophy of the bilateral upper limbs associated with peculiar transformation of the dural tube induced by neck flexion].

We described an 18-year-old man with slowly progressive muscular atrophy in upper limbs on both sides. Regarding muscular atrophy, sensory disturbances in both palms were disproportionally very mild. Electrophysiological study suggested involvement of anterior horn restricted to the cervical cord, which resembled juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper limb (Hirayama's disease). This patient, however, was unique in that the atrophy was bilateral and wider distribution of a lesion from C5 to T1 segments unlike Hirayama's disease. Neuroradiological findings in neutral position of the neck showed no abnormalities, but in flexion there was a characteristic change of the cervical cord and the posterior wall of dural canal. On myelography in flexion, anterior-posterior diameter of the middle and lower cervical dural canal decreased presumably due to an anterior shift of the dorsal part of dura mater. CT-myelography in neck flexion showed characteristic folding of the dorsal part of dura mater whose median portion seemed to intrude anteriorly and consequently concave the spinal cord. Anterior shift of the dorsal part of dura mater is known to occur in Hirayama's disease, but the folding is a peculiar finding in this patient. After laminectomy and laminoplasty of vertebrae from C3 to C7, his symptoms improved a little. On palpating the dorsal surface of dural canal, its median portion was harder than the lateral portion. A small fraction of the dura mater which was removed from hard median portion was thick, but showed no histological abnormalities. In normal functioning anatomy the dural canal is lengthened more posteriorly than anteriorly with neck flexion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Study of iridaceae plants with the capability to induce differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells].

Thirteen species of Iridaceae plants were studied with the capability to induce HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells into macrophages. The neutrophil stimulating activity in these plants was also examined by measuring superoxide production. Both activities are known to be possessed by tumor promoters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Dried parts of Iridaceae plants were extracted with methanol. Then, each extract was added to a culture medium of HL-60 cells and cultured for two days. A morphological change of the cells from suspended to adherent state, which was reported to occur in the process of differentiation, was observed. Nine species, most of which belong to the Iris genus, had the activity to cause cell adhesion. Each of the cell adhesion-positive extract was applied to a silica gel column and eluted with chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol in order. The activity was recovered only in the ethyl acetate eluate in all the cases. Those partially purified fractions also activated superoxide generation of neutrophils. When ethyl acetate fractions of Iris tectorum and Iris japonica were analyzed by HPLC, three active peaks different from TPA and teleocidins in UV spectra were detected. From these results, it was suggested that several plants of Iridaceae may contain TPA-type and yet structurally-different tumor promoters.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1992

[A cervical collar therapy for non-progressive juvenile spinal muscular atrophy of the distal upper limb (Hirayama's disease)].

Non-progressive juvenile spinal muscular atrophy of the distal upper limb (Hirayama's disease) occurs predominantly in men in the second decade with unilateral weakness of the fingers and hand, and atrophy of the hand and forearm. The symptoms generally progress for 3-4 years after onset and then stop. Since the second decade is a very important period starting one's career, early stopping of the progression and possibly the improvement are essential. On the bases of the neuroradiological studies, a forward displacement of the posterior wall of the dural canal at the lower cervical level on neck flexion is presumed to be the main pathogenetic mechanism in this disease. On neck flexion, the spinal cord is compressed anteroposteriorly at C7 and C8 segmental levels. Pathological studies suggested that chronic microcirculatory disturbances in the spinal cord as the result of repeated flexion of the neck might produce necrosis of the anterior horns. We used a cervical collar for the prevention of neck flexion in 14 patients in the early stage and compared the results with those of 18 patients who had natural courses. In the therapy group, muscle weakness of the affected hand improved in 5 patients and the progression of the disease was stopped in 8 patients with the duration of 1.8 +/- 1.2 years, whereas the duration of progression of the natural course group was 2.9 +/- 1.6 years. Only one patient who could not tolerate the use of collar showed a slight progression. These results suggest that the cervical collar is a useful therapeutic tool in this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Acute posterior interosseous nerve paralysis with constrictions possibly due to twists in the nerve trunk].

This report is concerning a case of acute spontaneous paralysis of the posterior interosseous nerve (P.I.O.N.), possibly caused by twists in the nerve trunk, in a 23-year-old woman. The subject felt a tingling pain over the lateral epicondyle of the right forearm when grasping and lifting a basin, and noticed that the fingers of the right hand could not be extended three days later. The fingers of the left hand also experienced paralysis 3 months after the first injury when she pronated and extended left forearm. Neurological examination revealed bilateral P.I.O.N. paralysis. When, after a period of time, the bilateral P.I.O.N. paralysis had not improved, surgical exploration of both P.I.O.N. was performed. It revealed that the right P.I.O.N. underwent a severe constriction at 2 cm proximal to the superficial portion of the supinator muscle, and that the proximal portion of the right nerve was swollen. The constricted portion of the right nerve was resected 5 mm in length, and nerve suturing was performed. The left P.I.O.N. was also constricted at the same location, and was found to be a sausage-like neurinoma with two constrictions. In the histological examination of the right resected P.I.O.N., edema of the interstitial tissue and a great number of regenerating cluster formations, including swollen axons, were observed proximal to the constriction. Distal to this, severe Wallerian degeneration was found. These histological findings were the same as those of chronic compression neuropathy. The authors reviewed and analysed reports on 20 other cases of P.I.O.N. paralysis that had compressions at 2 cm proximal to the superficial portion of the supinator muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1990

[Two cases of ataxic sensory neuropathy associated with silicosis].

Two patients of ataxic sensory neuropathy associated with silicosis were studied. Case 1 is a 53-year-old (in 1979) man who was a stonecutter for 40 years and diagnosed as silicosis in 1973. Case 2 is a 64-year-old (in 1984) man who was a glasscutter for 30 years and had been treated for silicosis from 1980 to 1982. Both patients developed dysesthesias in the hands, feet and face asymmetrically and gait ataxia over a few months. Vibratory and joint position senses were profoundly diminished but were accompanied by only mildly decreased pain and temperature sensations. Their muscle power was almost unchanged. Both had absent muscle power was almost unchanged. Both had absent muscle stretch reflexes. Sensory nerve conduction velocities were absent and motor nerve studies were almost normal. Nerve biopsy in case 2 showed a severe loss of large myelinaed fibers, and no inflammatory infiltrates and onion bulb formations. Although these findings suggested the carcinomatous neuropathy, we could not find any malignancy. Both patients had elevated polyclonal gamma-globulin levels and rheumatoid factors and, in case 2 an increase of IgG in serum. Cerebrospinal fluid showed an albumino-cytogenic dissociation and steroid therapy was successful in both patients. Case 1 died of pneumonia in 1989. Though an autopsy was not performed, his condition had continued to improve without signs of malignancy during 10 years. The condition of case 2 has also continued to improve, although ataxias remain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ataxia↗
PubMed1989

[Anterior shift of posterior lower cervical dura mater in patients with juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity].

Myelography was performed in 16 male patients with juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity. The age at onset ranged from 11 to 19 years (average, 16 years), and the age at study ranged from 15 to 38 years (average, 25 years). The most remarkable finding was an anterior shift of lower cervical dural canal during neck flexion, particularly of its posterior wall at around 6th vertebral level. The above finding was clearly shown in 12 patients whose duration of illness was under 20 years but not in 4 patients whose duration of illness was 20 years or over. And the rates of anterior shift of posterior lower cervical dura mater was inversely proportional to the duration of illness. There was a tendency that the greater the degree of the anterior dural shift and compression of the spinal cord, the greater the severity of the disease. We thought that the anterior shift of the posterior lower cervical dura mater provides the clue to understanding of its etiology and methods of arresting the progression of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Selective impairment of downward gaze; report of two cases of midbrain and bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction].

Selective paralysis of downward gaze, first described by André-Thomas et al. in 1933, is rare to be observed and not many cases have been so far reported in the literature. Two additional cases of selective impairment of downward gaze have been reported. X-ray CT scan revealed the infarcted areas in the midbrain tegmentum and bilateral paramedian thalami in both cases. Angiographic studies have revealed that the arteries occluded might be the paramedian thalamic arteries and their mesencephalic branches. According to the reported clinico-pathological studies and, in addition, to the results of the physiological studies in animal models, the responsible site of lesion for downward gaze failure is thought to be the rostral interstitial nucleus of MLF (riMLF). In one of the cases (28 year-old female, case 1), while vertical slow pursuit eye movements and upward saccade were normal in speed and range, maximum speed of eyes in voluntary downward saccade was markedly reduced and the eyes moved down slowly as if moving in oil (slow eye movement, viscosité). Passively extending the patient's head while she tried to fix her eyes on an unmoving object (doll's eye phenomenon), the speed of her eyes in downward saccade did not increase. In the other case (45 year-old male, case 2), the patient's voluntary and reflex downward eye movements were completely impaired and he could not look down nor follow the object below extending the horizontal meridian level. With regard to the unique features of abnormal eye movements observed in our cases, the possibility of coexistence of saccadic and slow pursuit eye movement systems in the vertical plane was discussed.

Adult↗