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Biomedical subjects

H Torii

Publications and source records attributed to H Torii.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic polymorphisms in the fourth component of complement (C4) and in properdin factor B (BF) in Japanese patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.

Genetic polymorphisms in the fourth component of complement (C4) and in properdin factor B (BF) were investigated in 49 and 32 Japanese patients with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), respectively. C4B2 was significantly increased in frequency, whereas no significant deviations were detected in BF compared with the controls. These results may indicate that complement polymorphisms are involved in the pathogenesis of PPP.

Adult

Sex concordance in proband-relative pairs with schizophrenia.

Sex concordance rates were investigated in 278 schizophrenic probands, who had at least one first-degree relative with schizophrenia, in order to find out whether the illness affects the same sex more often than the opposite sex when two close relatives become ill. No such unusual concordance rates were found in proband-relative pairs with schizophrenia. When 118 of the 278 probands were examined who had at least one parent with schizophrenia, the morbidity risk for schizophrenia in siblings of the same sex as the schizophrenic probands was significantly higher than that found in siblings of the sex opposite that of schizophrenic probands.

Adolescent

[The inhibitory effect of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE) instillation on experimental diabetic cataract formation in rats].

The effect of the instillation of gamma-glutamylcysteinylethyl ester (gamma-GCE), which has been reported to function as a precursor of glutathione, on cataract formation was examined in rats in which diabetes had been induced by Streptozotocin (STZ). Three days after i.p. treatment with 50 mg/kg body weight of STZ, male Wistar rats aged 6 weeks received instillations of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes prepared with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) for a period of 9 weeks. Cataract formation and development were observed by use of a cataract camera every week. After 9 weeks' observation, the lenses were enucleated and the content of the lens GSH was measured. Instillation of gamma-GCE in solution or liposomes to STZ-diabetic rats not only inhibited cataract formation but also kept lens GSH level almost at the control level. In addition, the inhibitory effect of the instillation of gamma-GCE in liposome was stronger than that of gamma-GCE in solution. The present results indicate that the administration of gamma-GCE in solution or in liposomes inhibits diabetic cataract formation, possibly by preventing lens GSH depletion.

Animals

Ultrastructure of rectal biopsy specimens in unusual familial ataxia with cerebrospinal fluid abnormality.

The ultrastructure of rectal biopsy specimens from a 60-year-old woman of unusual familial ataxia with cerebrospinal fluid abnormality was investigated. She had two male siblings similarly affected and a close consanguinity in the family. Meissner's plexus neurons, Schwann cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells within the rectum contained intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions (IEIs) with or without intensely eosinophilic granules. Ultrastructurally the IEIs were composed of a membrane-bound, fine granular material with or without dense cores. The IEIs resembled intracytoplasmic inclusions seen in various cells of the central nervous system from a male autopsied sibling. The clinically and morphologically similar finding in the two siblings suggests an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder previously unreported.

Biopsy

Changes of lens protein particles during development and reversal of galactose cataracts. Study by laser scattering spectroscopy.

3-week-old Wistar rats weighing about 50 g were fed a 38% galactose diet which was subsequently replaced with a normal diet. We measured the protein particle diameters and the scattered light intensity in the transparent part of galactose cataractous lenses. The scattered light intensity of small particles with a diameter of approximately 0.02 microns, corresponding to alpha-crystallin, decreased with a galactose diet, whereas it increased with a normal diet.

Animals

Further postmortem examination of a case of familial ataxia with cerebrospinal fluid abnormality: an electron microscopic study of the intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the central nervous system.

As reported previously, the peculiar intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies (IEIBs) extensively appeared in the autopsied brain tissue from a 49-year-old man having familial ataxia with cerebrospinal fluid abnormality, and histochemically showed abundant proteins, but few lipids and carbohydrates. Ultrastructurally, many membrane-bound vacuoles derived from the distended cisterns of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER) appeared in the neurons. They were filled with fine granular, less dense materials. The IEIBs, shown as a homogeneous dense core, were found in some of the vacuoles. Similar vacuoles also appeared in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, vascular pericytes, ependymal and choroidal epithelial cells. It is suggested that the vacuoles result from the accumulation of metabolic products in the distended RER cisterns of the cells in the central nervous system, presumably representing a genetically determined functional abnormality of the RER in protein synthesis and/or transport.

Astrocytes

Gastric microcirculatory change and development of acute gastric mucosal lesions (stress ulcer).

Concerning the pathogenesis of acute gastric mucosal lesions, gastric microcirculatory change has drawn attention as an important factor. In view of this fact, gastric mucosal blood flow and microvascular structure were investigated in normal and in burn stressed rats. Moreover, alterations in acid and pepsin activities in by morphological and biochemical procedures in order to evaluate the relationship between defensive and aggressive factors of the gastric mucosa. Gastric mucosal blood flow decreased significantly in early period after induction of stress (p less than 0.01). The incidence of ulceration showed a correlative relation with the decrease of mucosal blood flow. Reduction of blood flow in burn was due to opening of arteriovenular shunt and it appeared that this was responsible for mucosal ischemia and congestion. Following the decrease of blood flow, acid output was lower in stress than that in control. Finally, the results of these studies demonstrated the importance of defensive factors. The reduction of mucosal blood flow resulted in the sequence of events that led to formation of acute gastric mucosal lesion.

Acute Disease

[Intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions in dorsal root ganglia and spinal nerve roots from an autopsy case of unusual familial ataxia with cerebrospinal fluid abnormality].

Studies were performed on the light and electron microscopic structures of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal nerve roots of the 4th lumbar nerve obtained by autopsy from a 49-year-old man with unusual familial ataxia, who showed varied neurological manifestations such as progressive ataxia, action tremors, pyramidal tract signs, mild deep sensory disturbances and autonomic dysfunctions during a 30-year period of illness, and had 2 siblings, one male and female, similarly affected and close consanguineous marriages in his family. On laboratory examinations, blood chemistry disclosed no significant findings. Repeated spinal taps showed constant xanthochromia and elevated protein in the cerebrospinal fluids. A PEG and cranial CTs revealed a progressive brain atrophy. NCVs and EMGs in the extremities were within normal limits. There was no chromosomal abnormality. Light microscopically, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions (IEIs) with pale rim, which showed varied sizes and rounded shapes, occurred within neurons in the DRG, particularly in small neurons. Many of the small neurons had numerous IEIs, and several rounded granules with a high degree of eosinophilia, measuring below 5 microns in diameter. Generally the small neurons showed atrophic, while most large neurons showed no remarkable change although they had a small number of IEIs and granules located in the perikaryal periphery. Most satellite cells, and some Schwann cells in the DRG, ventral and dorsal roots had IEIs similar to those seen in the neurons. No IEIs occurred intraaxonally, and there was seen no degenerative process in the DRG and roots except a connective tissue fiber proliferation in the DRG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ataxia

Influence of sex on age at onset of schizophrenia.

The age at onset of schizophrenia was investigated in 2,417 inpatients (1,433 males and 984 females) meeting the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. About 80% of the patients became schizophrenic before the age of 30. The mean age at onset of the male patients was slightly earlier than that of the female patients. There was a higher cumulative percentage of the male patients who became affected at each age quinquennium. More men than women became schizophrenic before the age of 30.

Adult

Familial ataxia with abnormal CSF, with special reference to an autopsy case from three affected siblings.

We report here the clinical features of 3 affected siblings and neuropathological findings of the CNS from an autopsied case among them. Their common clinical features consisted of cerebellar ataxia and tremors through movements and postures. Two of the 3 siblings showed autonomic abnormalities, hard-of-hearing, pyramidal sign and areflexia. Then they always had xanthochromia and an elevated protein without pleocytosis in their CSFs. Neuropathologically, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were found in the neurons of some restricted nuclei or nerve cell groups of the brain stem, cerebellum and spinal cord. Similar bodies appeared also in glial, ependymal and choroid plexus epithelial cells. Such eosinophilic bodies are thought to consist of protein-rich substances from histochemical properties, and result from an unknown inherited metabolic error.

Adult

Does family history of schizophrenia influence age at onset of schizophrenia?

The relation between age at onset of schizophrenia diagnosed using DSM-III criteria and the presence or absence of this illness among first-degree relatives was investigated in 2417 patients. The mean age at onset among those with a family history of schizophrenia was slightly and nonsignificantly earlier than that of schizophrenic patients without a positive family history. The former developed their illness before the age of 25 years more frequently than did the latter.

Adolescent

Morbidity risk of schizophrenia to parents and siblings of schizophrenic patients.

In order to estimate the familial morbidity risk of schizophrenia, parents and siblings of 1,691 inpatients meeting the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia were investigated on the basis of a review of medical records, family history data and/or personal interviews. The morbidity risks of schizophrenia to parents and siblings of the schizophrenic probands were 4.0% and 4.1%, respectively, which were greater than the morbidity risk in the general population. Siblings of 118 probands whose parents suffered from schizophrenia were at a significantly greater risk of schizophrenia than siblings of 1,493 probands whose parents did not have schizophrenic illness. These findings support the notion of familial transmission of schizophrenia. A total of 16.4% of the schizophrenic probands had at least one first-degree relative with schizophrenia. This is significantly greater in the female probands than in the male probands.

Adult

Disposition of carumonam (AMA-1080/Ro 17-2301), a new N-sulfonated monocyclic beta-lactam, in rats and dogs.

Rats and dogs were given a single 20-mg/kg dose of [14C]carumonam intramuscularly or intravenously. In rats, the level in plasma of [14C]carumonam administered intramuscularly peaked (29.1 micrograms/ml) 15 min after dosing and then declined with an apparent elimination half-life of 16.2 min. Intramuscular injection of [14C]carumonam to dogs gave a peak level (36.8 micrograms/ml) in plasma at 20 min and an apparent elimination half-life of 51.7 min. After administration of the intravenous dose, apparent elimination half-lives were 13.1 and 52.7 min in rats and dogs, respectively. In both animals, the radioactivity in plasma was made up largely (greater than 80%) of unchanged carumonam, which was protein bound to only a small extent. In rats given [14C]carumonam intramuscularly, radioactivity was distributed widely in tissues, with relatively high concentrations in the kidney and liver. The radioactivity concentration in the rat fetus was relatively low, as was that in milk. In both rats and dogs carumonam did not undergo extensive metabolism; the most prominent metabolite was AMA-1294, the compound resulting from beta-lactam ring hydrolysis. [14C]carumonam and metabolites were mostly eliminated from the bodies within 72 h in rats and 120 h in dogs. In both animals, a large amount of the dosed radioactivity was excreted in the urine largely as unchanged antibiotic. The remainder was eliminated in the feces via bile. AMA-1294 was eliminated from the bodies of rats and dogs at a considerably slower rate than was unchanged carumonam. In rats, [14C]carumonam was eliminated by both glomerular filtration (67%) and tubular secretion (33%); the renal elimination of [14C]AMA-1294 was only by glomerular filtration.

Animals

Hand preference in schizophrenics and handedness conversion in their childhood.

A handedness questionnaire which was given to 1774 schizophrenic inpatients was identical to that employed in our previous study on healthy students. Information was obtained on forced conversion of hand usage in childhood and the occurrence of left-handedness in their families. Family history of schizophrenia was also investigated. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of left-handedness or non-right-handedness (i.e., left-handedness and ambidexterity combined) between schizophrenic patients and normal subjects. However, the rate of converted right-handedness in schizophrenics was higher than that in normal people. The incidence of original non-right-handedness (i.e., present non-right-handedness and converted right-handedness combined) in schizophrenics was greater than that in normal controls.

Adolescent

Metabolism of idebenone (CV-2619), a new cerebral metabolism improving agent: isolation and identification of metabolites in the rat and dog.

Metabolic studies of idebenone (CV-2619), a new cerebral metabolism improving agent, in the rat and dog by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry led to characterization of the following metabolites: the parent compound, 6-(9-carboxynonyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (QS-10), 6-(7-carboxyheptyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (QS-8), 6-(5-carboxypentyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (QS-6), 6-(3-carboxypropyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (QS-4), 1- or 4-phenyl sulfate of the hydroquinone derivatives of CV-2619 and QS-4, and 1- and 4-phenyl glucuronides of the hydroquinone derivative of QS-10. These results indicated that CV-2619 was metabolized by oxidation of the side chain followed by beta-oxidation to form successively QS-10, QS-8, QS-6 and QS-4, and reduction of the quinone ring and subsequent conjugation yielding the sulfates and glucuronides of the hydroquinone derivatives of CV-2619, QS-10, QS-8, QS-6 and QS-4.

Animals

Disposition of idebenone (CV-2619), a new cerebral metabolism improving agent, in rats and dogs.

After oral administration of 14C-labeled idebenone (14C-CV-2619) to rats, the plasma 14C level reached a plateau at 15 min, which persisted till 8 h and then decreased with a half-life of 4.5 h. In dogs, after oral dosing, the plasma 14C peaked at 15 min, followed by biophysical decline with half-lives of 2.2 and 15.4 h. The plasma of both animals contained mostly metabolites, with a small amount of unchanged CV-2619, which was greater than 90% protein-bound. In rats given 14C-CV-2619 orally or intravenously, 14C was distributed widely in tissues, with relatively high concns. in the gut, liver and kidney. CV-2619 readily entered the rat brain to undergo subcellular distribution with a significant amount localized in mitochondria. The concn. of 14C in rat fetus was low, as was that in the milk. Oral 14C-CV-2619 was eliminated by rats and dogs mostly as metabolites within 48 h. In rats, more was excreted in urine than in feces, whereas in dogs excretion by these two routes was almost equal. Enterohepatic cycling of biliary 14C occurred in rats. Repeated oral ingestions of 14C-CV-2619 to rats resulted in no accumulation of 14C. The metabolites found in rats and dogs were QS-10, QS-8, QS-6 and QS-4 formed by oxidative shortening of the side chain of CV-2619, and desmethylated CV-2619 and QS-4. Glucuronides and sulfates of the dihydro (quinol) derivatives of the above metabolites were also detected. Dihydro QS-4 sulfate was the major metabolite in plasma and urine of both animals, while dihydro QS-10 glucuronide was predominant in rat bile.

Animals

Metabolism of ipriflavone (TC-80) in rats.

Metabolic studies of ipriflavone (TC-80) in rats by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the characterization of the following metabolites: the parent compound, 7-hydroxy-3-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-isopropoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, 2-(3-phenyl-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl)oxypropionic acid, 2-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]oxypropionic acid and 2-[3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-7-yl]oxypropionic acid. From the metabolites identified, TC-80 was shown to be metabolized primarily by oxidation. In vitro study using tissue slices of rats indicated that the above metabolic changes occurred exclusively in the liver. It was also demonstrated that the compound did not undergo metabolic conversion by gut flora of rats.

Animals