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Biomedical subjects

M Ochi

Publications and source records attributed to M Ochi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intestinal type alkaline phosphatase hyperphosphatasemia associated with liver cirrhosis.

Hyperphosphatasemia due to increased intestinal type serum alkaline phosphatase was noted in a 48-year-old male who had asymptomatic liver cirrhosis. The alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum was 828 U/l (our reference range in adults: 57-194 U/l), 94% of which was of the intestinal type as measured by an immunoprecipitation method. The intestinal component of alkaline phosphatase was separated into two major and some minor components using electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing. One of the major components had similar mobility to that of a standard intestinal enzyme purified from adult intestine. The components were heat-labile and neuraminidase-resistant. Serial lectin affinity chromatography, however, indicated that sugar chain compositions of the alkaline phosphatase were different from those of the standard tissue intestinal enzyme. These results and further enzymological studies suggest that the patient's serum alkaline phosphatase basically consisted of several intestine-like isoforms.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Growth retardation due to idiopathic growth hormone deficiencies: MR findings in 24 patients.

In this study we evaluated the pituitary-hypothalamic abnormalities of "idiopathic growth hormone (GH) deficiency" as demonstrated by MR imaging. Twenty-four patients were examined with a 1.5-T unit using spin echo T-1 weighted images. The patients were divided into two groups according to MR findings: those with ectopic posterior pituitary glands (12 patients), and those with normal posterior pituitary glands (12 patients). Ten patients in the former group and four in the latter group had small anterior pituitary glands. All patients in the former group but only four in the latter group had severe GH deficiencies. Multiple hormone deficiencies were found in eight patients in the former group, but in only two in the latter group. Among the 12 patients with posterior pituitary ectopia, 11 were males, 10 had been born by breech delivery, and four had a history of asphyxia. It is speculated that perinatal abnormalities can cause posterior pituitary ectopia and that there is a close correlation between breech delivery and the male disadvantage of posterior pituitary ectopia. Half of our patients with "idiopathic GH deficiency" had ectopic posterior pituitaries. GH deficiency with posterior pituitary ectopia should no longer be considered idiopathic because organic lesions can now be identified during life.

Adolescent

Experimental evidence of selective axonal regeneration in allogenic and isogenic Y-chambers.

Studies on axonal regeneration in Y-chambers over the past decade have consistently provided evidence of preferential growth toward a distal nerve piece. However, these findings are in contrast to the observations by Weiss and Taylor (1944. J. Exp. Zool. 95: 233-257), indicating that in fresh aortic Y-chambers regenerating axons had no tendency to grow into a channel containing a distal nerve piece as compared to an open channel. The discrepancy between Weiss and Taylor's findings and those of later authors remains unexplained. In the present study we repeated the investigations by Weiss and Taylor, using both isogenic and allogenic aortic Y-chambers. In control groups the aorta graft was frozen and treated chemically to kill all cells and to deactivate possible growth factors of protein nature. In these groups preferential growth toward the distal nerve was pronounced although such specificity in growth was evident also in the nontreated types of aortic chambers. The findings do not support the results presented by Weiss and Taylor.

Animals

Reinnervation of denervated skeletal muscles by grafted dorsal root ganglion.

We examined whether or not the cervical dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the rat, when isografted and connected to the distal stump of the severed common peroneal nerve, could survive, project axons to the denervated leg muscles, and exert beneficial influences to delay the degeneration of the denervated muscles. Rats in which the muscles were similarly denervated but no DRG was grafted served as the control. After a postoperative period of 72 to 286 days, histological study showed that nerve cells at the superficial part of the grafted DRG survived. Indirect electrical stimulation via the distal stump of the common peroneal nerve produced no contraction of the muscles, indicating that no functional neuromuscular contacts had been reestablished. Direct stimulation of the denervated muscles did elicit contraction, and the isometric twitch and tetanic tensions were significantly much higher in the experimental rats with a grafted DRG than in the control rats. Cholinesterase-silver staining indicated the presence of axons in the denervated muscles, but the axons did not terminate on endplates. Compared with the control muscles, the experimental muscles had significantly more axons, and had atrophied less as indicated by muscle wet weight and histological appearance. These results indicate that the sensory axons can delay the weakening and atrophy of muscles after denervation. We suggest that the sensory axons may exert certain trophic influence on the denervated muscle fibers, though the actual mechanism is unknown.

Animals

[Computed tomographic features in ovarian bleeding].

CT scans of eight patients with ovarian bleeding (7 idiopathic and 1 secondary to bleeding tendency) were reviewed. CT showed intrapelvic hemorrhage in all cases, and ruptured ovary was identified in 6 cases. High density area in or around the ovary, seen in 2 cases, suggested the site of bleeding. In 4 cases the ovary was observed as a low density area. Ovarian bleeding is a common disorder, and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of intrapelvic hemorrhage in females.

Adult

Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral fat embolism.

The cerebral fat embolism is a potentially serious complication of fractures but clinical cases often go undiagnosed. Two cases of clinically diagnosed cerebral fat embolism are reported, and MR images of these patients are described. While brain CT revealed no abnormality, MR imaging showed relative low-intensity areas on T1-weighted images and high-intensity areas on T2-weighted images. In one patient follow-up MR showed nearly complete resolution of the abnormal signal. MR imaging appears to be valuable for detecting the lesions in these patients.

Adolescent

Experimental irradiation of femoral arteries by carbon dioxide (CO2) laser: morphologic changes under transmission electron microscope (T.E.M.) examination.

In order to study the morphologic changes after CO2 laser irradiation, 42 rat femoral arteries were irradiated under various conditions at different time intervals from zero to three weeks. The arteries were examined under transmission electron microscope (T.E.M.), and 30 mW power and 0.3 to 0.5 mm/sec velocity were considered to be the most suitable for a CO2 anastomosis of small femoral arteries.

Animals

New adipocyte formation in mice during refeeding after long-term deprivation.

Cell kinetic characteristics of the epididymal adipose tissue of mice were examined during refeeding after prolonged food deprivation. Mature mice were given a glucose-electrolyte solution for 20-40 days, and subsequent to a body weight loss of 35%, they were given normal mouse food ad libitum. After refeeding, their body weight and adipose tissue weight returned to the levels before the deprivation. We examined the formation of new adipocytes in the epididymal adipose tissue with [3H]thymidine autoradiography. Flash labeling experiments revealed that cell proliferation was most active on the 6th day after refeeding and decreased thereafter until the 13th day when few labeled cells were seen. Cumulative labeling experiments showed that replicated poorly differentiated mesenchymal cells developed into adipocytes by storing fat droplets. New adipocyte formation was observed in adult mice during refeeding after long-term deprivation.

Adipose Tissue

Adipocyte dynamics in hypothalamic obese mice during food deprivation and refeeding.

Effect of hypothalamic lesions on regulation of body weight and fat cell dynamics in obese mice were examined during refeeding after prolonged food deprivation. Obese mice, which were treated with monosodium glutamate for 5 postnatal days and had ventromedial nuclear lesions in the hypothalamus, were used. When adult obese mice were given a glucose electrolyte solution for 20-40 days, the body weight dropped to about 45% of their pre-treatment weight. After reinstituted feeding of normal mouse food ad libitum, their body weight and adipose tissue weight returned to pre-starvation level. Tritiated thymidine autoradiography revealed that cell proliferation occurred in the early stages of refeeding and some fat cells were renewed in the epididymal adipose tissue. Fat cell renewal was found more active in the experimental group than in the control. Thereafter, fat cell size increased gradually via fat storage. These obese mice were found to have the capacity to regulate their body weight and adipose tissue not only through fat storage but also by increasing number of fat cells, in order to replace the cells which were lost during starvation. Therefore, ventromedial nuclear lesion in the hypothalamus does not influence the regulatory mechanism of adipose tissue during starvation and refeeding.

Adipose Tissue

[Arterial graft anastomosis in coronary artery surgery: some technical points].

To facilitate surgical technique, we describe some devices on arterial graft anastomosis in coronary artery surgery. Prior to anastomosis, the graft is positioned closely just parallel to the coronary artery by fixing surrounding endothoracic fascia or other connective tissues to the epicardium with 5-0 monofilament sutures. Stitching around the heel of the anastomosis is best performed by "a single stroke continuous suture" with the graft kept in position parallel to the coronary artery. This technique provides simple and secure anastomosis of an arterial graft.

Anastomosis, Surgical

[Surgical management of peripheral vascular disease in patients with severe coronary artery disease: importance of operative concept to reconstruct catheter insertion route for PTCA or CABG].

We discussed the operative concept of revascularization of lower extremities in patients associated with severe, coronary artery disease (CAD). Those with symptomatic CAD may undergo coronary artery bypass (CABG) or percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with or without intraaortic balloon pump (IABP). Special attention should be paid during operation in these patients in order to reconstruct the arterial catheter route, which gives us the best way to percutaneous transfemoral approach to the aorta or the coronary arteries. One should not choose arbitrarily extra-anatomical bypass, such as axillo-femoral or femorofemoral, in these cases. Also, artificial graft should not be applied in the common femoral arteries, which will make percutaneous approach difficult. Common femoral arteries, if needed, are best reconstructed by means of thromboendarterectomy. Attaining smooth, bilateral aorto-ilio-femoral continuity is the main goal of revascularization of lower extremities in patients with CAD.

Aged

Peripheral nerve allograft: cellular and humoral immune responses of mice.

Despite numerous experimental and clinical studies, no method has been established for achieving successful peripheral nerve allografts. One reason is that few studies concerning the immune response of the host have been conducted with nerve allografts. We therefore investigated the immune response of fresh nerve allografts with respect to both cellular and humoral immunological reactions. Using immunologically established strains of inbred mice, we performed the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) reaction and the cell-mediated lymphocytolysis reaction to test the cellular immune reaction and the complement-dependent cytotoxicity test to the humoral immune reaction. We observed that peripheral nerve tissues were strongly immunogenic; there was increased MLC reactivity to the allo-MHC antigen of the donor, specific cytotoxic T-cell activity, and production of specific antibody in the serum. For satisfactory nerve regeneration and transplantation, it is essential to suppress this immune response.

Animals

The effects of salicylate on ketogenesis, gluconeogenesis and urea production in rat liver perfusion.

In order to elucidate the relation between the hepatotoxicity of salicylate (SA) and the pathogenesis of Reye's syndrome (RS), urea production, gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis were investigated in isolated perfused rat livers in the presence of salicylate (SA) and oleate. Although urea formation from 0.5 mM NH4Cl, 2 mM ornithine and 0.3 mM oleate was not inhibited by infusion of SA, 3 mM SA caused a 26% decrease of ketogenesis, 85% decrease of 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio (30HB/AcAc) and 45% increase of oxygen consumption. Glucose production from 2 mM pyruvate in the presence of 0.3 mM oleate decreased by 33% after administration of 3 mM SA, and 30HB/AcAc ratio also decreased by 33%. The decrement of gluconeogenesis and that of the 30HB/AcAc ratio were very close. These results suggested that ATP production was maintained but that the intra-mitochondrial redox state was changed to a more oxidized state after SA administration in perfused rat livers. This change in redox state could be responsible for the decrease of gluconeogenesis. Metabolic characteristics found in RS were not obtained by infusion of 3 mM SA and 0.3 mM oleate in rat livers. Therefore, some other factors in addition to SA seem necessary to establish an animal model of RS.

Animals

Effect of the binding of bilirubin to either the first class or the second class of binding sites of the human serum albumin molecule on its photochemical reaction.

The kinetics of the photochemical changes of bilirubin were studied at a constant concentration of bilirubin bound either to the first class or to the second class of binding sites of the human serum albumin molecule. The more the bilirubin binds to the first class of binding sites in the human serum albumin molecule, the more readily geometric photoequilibrium to give (ZE)-bilirubin takes place. The more the bilirubin binds to the second class of binding sites or allosterically transformed binding sites induced by added SDS, the more readily structural photoisomerization, i.e. the formation of (EZ)-cyclobilirubin, takes place. When the serum bilirubin concentration is at low, safe, values bilirubin binds exclusively to the first class of binding sites and serves as an antioxidant [Onishi, Yamakawa & Ogawa (1971) Perinatology 1, 373-379]; at these concentrations human serum albumin protects bilirubin from irreversible photodegradation by only allowing readily reversible geometric photoisomerization. As the serum bilirubin concentration increases to high, and potentially dangerous, values, bilirubin binds to the second class of binding sites, and under these conditions human serum albumin seems to promote the photocyclization of bilirubin. During irradiation human serum albumin seems to act by retaining low, useful, concentrations of bilirubin while facilitating irreversible photoisomerization of excess bilirubin.

Bilirubin

Administration of human leukocyte interferon to patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Between 1979 and 1982, fifteen patients with SSPE were treated with human leukocyte interferon (HuIFN-alpha). They were administered interferon (IFN) in doses ranging from 25 x 10(6) IU to 126 x 10(6) IU by various routes in regimens that ranged for 20 days to 14 months. In 3 of the 5 cases with rapid deterioration, HuIFN-alpha did not alter the course of the disease; however, 6 cases with mild progression showed various degrees of clinical improvement during the IFN therapy. In 3 of the 4 cases in remission, HuIFN-alpha caused no significant changes in clinical courses. No severe adverse reactions were seen during IFN administration. These results suggest that HuIFN-alpha has a potentially beneficial effect on the course of SSPE.

Adolescent