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Biomedical subjects

H Yarita

Publications and source records attributed to H Yarita.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

A new diagnostic test for VLCAD deficiency using immunohistochemistry.

BACKGROUND: Muscle pathology is often unhelpful in elucidating the specific underlying abnormality in patients with metabolic myopathy with rhabdomyolysis, including very-long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. Biochemical analyses require large amounts of biopsy samples for each enzyme assay. OBJECTIVE: To develop a more efficient diagnostic method for VLCAD deficiency. METHODS: The authors performed immunohistochemical analysis using an antibody to VLCAD on muscles from 344 patients (226 men and 118 women) without a specific diagnosis who had at least one of the following symptoms: myoglobinuria, high CK level, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, sudden infant death syndrome, and Reye-like syndrome. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity to VLCAD was absent or markedly reduced in 13 patients. Biochemical analyses confirmed that all these patients had low enzymatic activity and reduced amount of protein. They all had the myopathic phenotype. The authors identified homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in all of them. All recombinant proteins had reduced enzymatic activity except for 128G>A (G43D) and 796C>G (P266A) mutants, indicating that they are neutral polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: The new screening method for the detection of VLCAD deficiency using an immunohistochemical technique identified 13 new Japanese patients with VLCAD deficiency.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase, Long-Chain↗

Nuclear hypersegmentation precedes the increase in blood eosinophils in acute eosinophilic pneumonia.

In this case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP), eosinophils with hypersegmented nuclei emerged in the blood before the increase of eosinophil count. An 18-year-old woman complaining of fever, cough and dyspnea was admitted because of diffuse ground-glass opacities in her chest roentgenogram. On admission, her blood cell count revealed a marked increase of neutrophils. Although the number of eosinophils was normal, some of them contained three- or four-lobed nuclei. She was diagnosed to have AEP through bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy. The combination with acute clinical course, pulmonary infiltration and the presence of hypersegmented eosinophils in blood may imply the diagnosis of AEP.

Acute Disease↗

A study of motor dysfunction associated with schizophrenia based on analyses of movement-related cerebral potentials and motor conduction time.

BACKGROUND: Several reports have shown that schizophrenics have motor dysfunction. The aim of this study was to identify the site of the nerve damage responsible for the motor dysfunction in schizophrenics by measuring both movement-related cerebral potentials (MRCPs) and motor conduction times. METHODS: The subjects were 27 patients and 31 controls. There was no significant difference in age, nor in the length of the subjects' arms between the two groups. MRCPs were recorded during voluntary self-paced index movements of the thumb. The motor nerve conduction time was determined by magnetically stimulating the motor cortex and the spinal root. RESULTS: Six of 27 schizophrenics had normal MRCPs, but the remaining 21 showed abnormal MRCPs. Of the 31 controls, 27 were normal, whereas 4 showed abnormal MRCPs. The difference between the two groups was significant; however, no significant differences were found in the motor conduction times, the motor root conduction times, or the central motor conduction times between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the responsible focus of motor nerve disorder in schizophrenia lies in the motor-integrating system in frontal lobe, and not in the nervous conduction system from the brain to the muscles.

Adult↗

[Two cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome with bilateral wide-spread pulmonary infiltrates].

We report two cases of Churg-Strauss syndrome. The first case was a 25-year-old woman with a one year history of bronchial asthma, who developed fever, skin eruptions, abdominal pain and mononeuritis multiplex. During treatment with prednisolone 40 mg per day, chest X-ray films showed bilateral wide-spread infiltrates. When the dosage of prednisolone was increased to 80 mg per day, these infiltrates disappeared. Skin and lung biopsy specimens demonstrated allergic vasculitis and eosinophilic pneumonia. There was no response to high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy for persistent severe abdominal pain and mononeuritis multiplex. Pericardial and pleural effusions with eosinophilia recurred eight months later. The second case was a 31-year-old man with a six year history of bronchial asthma, who developed fever, skin eruptions, myalgia and mononeuritis multiplex. One year later, during treatment with prednisolone 15 mg per day, bronchial asthma with eosinophilia relapsed and chest X-ray films showed bilateral patchy infiltrates. Skin biopsy specimens demonstrated eosinophilic infiltrates and necrotizing vasculitis, while lung biopsy specimens demonstrated eosinophilic infiltrates and small granulomas. With additional administration of cyclophosphamide, he has had no evidence of active disease for six years. In both cases, the neurological symptoms persisted despite treatment with high doses of steroids, and during tapering of prednisolone, vasculitis syndrome relapsed. Therefore, long-term careful surveillance is necessary in this disease.

Adult↗

[A case of acute spinal epidural hematoma with spontaneous resolution and its MRI].

A case of non-traumatic spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) with spontaneous resolution was reported. A 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for her paraplegia of acute onset. She had had no specific previous history, and she did not either receive any drug or suffer from hypertension. On admission, general status was unremarkable. Flaccid paralysis of lower extremities and bilateral sensory disturbance of all modalities below the level of Th4 were observed. Deep tendon reflexes were normal in upper extremities, while absent in lower extremities. Babinski's sign was not elicited. From the findings of CT and metrizamide CT myelography, SEH of ventral type was presumed. MRI revealed hematoma compressing spinal cord over two vertebral segments, and widely spreading even to C7 rostrally and to Th10 caudally. Urgent surgical intervention was taken into consideration, but was not performed because of her rapid improvement: sensory disturbance alleviated from day to day, and she became able to walk within the 3rd day of hospitalization. Almost complete recovery from motor and sensory dysfunction was achieved in about 7 days after admission. Only 4 cases of spontaneous recovery of SEH have been reported so far, and this patient is the 5th such case. Although CT and metrizamide CT myelography are useful in diagnosing SEH, MRI is also proved to be an accurate and efficacious method for evaluation of its size, location and extent in the spinal canal.

Acute Disease↗

Isolated ACTH deficiency accompanied by 'primary hypothyroidism' and hyperprolactinaemia.

A 55 year old man with isolated ACTH deficiency is reported. The lesion would appear to be located in the pituitary gland since plasma ACTH and cortisol did not respond to lysine vasopressin and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). A fall in T4, a rise in basal values of TSH, prolactin (Prl), LH and FSH, excessive responses of TSH and Prl to TRH, and hyperreactive responses of LH and FSH to LRH were observed. These hormonal changes were examined before and after administration of cortisol. The abnormality in these hormones might be caused by deficiency of long-term glucocorticoid.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

A transthalamic olfactory pathway to orbitofrontal cortex in the monkey.

1. Evoked potentials restricted to the magnocellular portion of the mediodorsal nucleus (MDmc) of the thalamus were recorded after stimulation of the olfactory bulb (OB) and the posterior orbital cortex of the frontal lobe (OFC). Potentials evoked by stimulation of OB were probably trans-synaptically elicited, while potentials evoked by stimulation of OFC were probably a result of antidromic activation. 2. The area in which stimulation could elicit antidromic evoked potentials in MDmc was located in the centroposterior portion of OFC (CPOF). This area corresponds approximately to Walker's (80) area 13 and to von Bonin and Bailey's (9) area FF, and is situated medial and just anterior to a previously identified olfactory area, the lateroposterior portion of OFC (LPOF), which receives olfactory impulses through the hypothalamus. 3. Using extracellular microelectrodes, 58 neurons that responded with short latencies to OFC stimulation were identified in MDmc. To determine whether these neurons were activated antidromically by CPOF stimulation, three conventional neurophysiological criteria were applied; 20 of 58 neurons satisfied all the three criteria. Hence, they were concluded to be thalamocortical relay (TCR) neurons. 4. Intracellular recording of MDmc neurons disclosed that CPOF stimulation elicits an antidromic spike potential accompanied by an afterhyperpolarization. This hyperpolarization was presumed to be due to concurrent stimulation of inhibitory orbitothalamic fibers. It was also shown that EPSP-like depolarizations with superimposed spike potentials often occurred in the middle of the afterhyperpolarization. 5. Intracellular recording of MDmc neurons strongly suggested that the remaining 38 neurons that did not satisfy one of the three criteria were also TCR neurons. 6. These studies provide electrophysiological evidence for a transthalamic olfactory pathway from OB through MDmc to CPOF. 7. Using an extracellular recording technique, responses of neurons to eight odors were examined in CPOF and MDmc of unanesthetized awake monkeys. When these results were compared with the responses of neurons to the same odors in OB, prepyriform-amygdaloid area, and LPOF, it was concluded that the newly found transthalamic olfactory pathway to CPOF is very different in function from the previously demonstrated transhypothalamic olfactory pathway to LPOF.

Animals↗

Effects of gustatory stimulants upon the olfactory epithelium of the bullfrog and the carp.

Effects of various gustatory stimulants upon the olfactory spithelia were examined in the olfactory bulb of the bullfrog and the carp. 1. The olfactory epithelia of the two animals responded to the salty, bitter- and acid-tasting substances, but not to the sweet ones. 2. The olfactory epithelium of the bullfrog responded immediately to sodium solutions of high concentrations (the "initial response"), but the response to those of low concentrations showed long latency (the "delayed response"). In the carp, the "initial response" was found, while the "delayed response" was not in most cases. A "negative" delayed response was found only infrequently. 3. Responses only to high alkali or acid solutions were found in the two animals. 4. When 0.05 M NaCl was added to HCl solutions, an enhancing effect was found in the bullfrog, while a reducing effect occurred in the carp. On the contrary, when 0.05 M NaCl was added to NaOH solutions, an enhancing effect occurred in the carp, while no consistent result was founding the bullfrog. 5. Many amino acids were effective stimuli in the bullfrog, but only betaine and 1-aspartic acid were found effective in the carp. 6. Changes in temperatures beyond 35 degrees C or under 10 degrees C elicited responses. Mechanical stimuli were effective in the carp, but not in the bullfrog. 7. The "water response" was found in the bullfrog, but not in the carp. 8. Sensitivities of the olfactory epithelia of the two animals were compared and discussed.

Animals↗

Ionic stimulation of the olfactory epithelium in the bullfrog and the carp.

The stimulating effects of mono- and divalent cations and anions were studied in the olfactory epithelia of the bullfrog and the carp. The rhythmic waves induced by these ions were recorded in the olfactory bulb. 1. Many mono- and divalent cations and anions showed stimulating actions in the bullfrog and the carp. 2. Microelectrode studies disclosed that the olfactory receptor cells respond to different ions differently. 3. When many ions were applied with various concentrations, responses appeared with long latencies while the concentration was very low (the "delayed responses"). The responses nearly disappeared at the intermediate concentrations, but then responses with short latencies appeared at the higher concentrations (the "initial responses"). Thus, many ions showed dual responses in the bullfrog, although some exceptional cases were found (choline+, Tl+, La3+, Cd2+). 4. Cd2+ and other heavy metal ions showed depressive actions upon the responses induced by other ions in the olfactory epithelium. 5. Tetrodotoxin of even 10 (-5) g/ml was found ineffective in depressing the rhythmic waves induced by ions. 6. Chemoreceptive activities of the olfactory epithelia of the bullfrog and the carp were compared with the activities of the gustatory receptors. They were also compared with the other chemoreceptors of the fish, namely the palatal organ, external chemoreceptors over the snout region and the lateral-line organ. Chemical senses of the fish were discussed.

Animals↗

An olfactory projection area in orbitofrontal cortex of the monkey.

An olfactory projection area was studied in monkeys anesthetized with Nembutal. 1. Evoked potentials were recorded when the olfactory bulb (OB) was electrically stimulated in the lateroposterior portion of the orbitofrontal cortex (LPOF). However, those potentials disappeared when the anterior pyriform cortex (AP) (probably together with the medial portion of the amygdala (MA)) was aspirated or electrically destroyed. 2. In nearly the entire hypothalamic region, evoked potentials were recorded by the same stimulation of the OB. When the hypothalamic region was stimulated, evoked potentials were recorded in the LPOF. 3. The evoked potentials in the LPOF due to the OB stimulation never disappeared even when the thalamus was extensively aspirated or destroyed electrically, but they did disappear when the anterolateral and dorsoposterior portions of the hypothalamus were absorbed or electrocoagulated. 4. Evoked potentials in the mediodorsal nucleus (MD) of the thalamus were recorded when the OB was stimulated. When this nucleus was stimulated, evoked potentials were observed in the broad extent of the orbitofrontal cortex anterior to the LPOF, but never in the LPOF itself. 5. Monkeys were conditioned to discriminate two odors. When the LPOF was removed, such ability strikingly decreased; but when other areas in the prefrontal cortex were removed, the ability decreased only slightly. 6. It was concluded that there exists an olfactory pathway from the OB to the LPOF through the AP (and probably the MA) and the hypothalamus, but none through the thalamus, and that the LPOF plays an important role in the discrimination of odors. 7. It was proved that the entorhinal cortex (ER) is neither located as an intermediate olfactory area nor is it situated as a higher area than the LPOF in the newly found olfactory pathway stated above. It may be a link between the high olfactory area and the limbic system.

Animals↗