Biomedical subjects

Masato Mori

Publications and source records attributed to Masato Mori.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Elevated CSF IL-6 in a patient with respiratory syncytial virus encephalopathy.

The patient was an 11-month-old boy who developed encephalopathy associated with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. Right hemispheric encephalopathy was indicated by left hemiparesis and a diffuse right hemispheric lesion detected with magnetic resonance imaging. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 in the cerebrospinal fluid during the acute phase suggested the involvement of increased production of one or more cytokines in the pathogenesis of viral related encephalopathy, similarly to that proposed for influenza encephalopathy.

Brain Diseases↗

PubMed2006

Acute infantile encephalopathy predominantly affecting the frontal lobes.

To establish a novel subtype of acute infantile encephalopathy, the clinical and radiologic features of nine infants with acute encephalopathy involving the bilateral frontal lobes were examined. These patients had convulsive status epilepticus with hyperpyrexia followed by a prolonged impairment of consciousness for 2-20 days. After the recovery of consciousness, all the patients manifested regression of verbal function and lack of spontaneity. Some of them also exhibited stereotypic movements, instability of mood, or catalepsy. Transient postictal edema in both frontal lobes was suggested by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Attenuated cerebral perfusion in the frontal lobes was demonstrated by single-photon emission computed tomography at the tenth day after onset or subsequently. Serial studies disclosed atrophic changes in the frontal lobes. All patients manifested regression or retardation of motor and verbal functions. The recovery of intellectual deficit was slower and less prominent than that of motor dysfunction. These unique features suggest that the frontal lobes are the focus of this novel subtype of acute encephalopathy, which we propose to call acute infantile encephalopathy predominantly affecting the frontal lobes.

Brain Diseases↗

PubMed2006

Network analysis of plasma and tissue amino acids and the generation of an amino index for potential diagnostic use.

BACKGROUND: Few studies exist on the use of metabolic profiling of amino acids to examine underlying physiologic and disease states. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to introduce a new method for studying relations among amino acids and to generate a diagnostic index, or amino index, based on amino acid concentrations. DESIGN: For network analysis, 35 Fischer-344 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups and fed diets containing 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 50%, or 70% protein. Amino acid concentrations in plasma and various organs were used to derive correlation coefficients that were then used to construct correlation networks. To build a diagnostic index for diabetic rats, the plasma amino acid concentrations of diabetic and normal rats were analyzed by using a novel algorithm developed to generate amino acid-based indexes. Plasma amino acid concentrations from human growth hormone transgenic rats and insulin-treated diabetic rats were used to evaluate the index obtained for diabetes. Dimethylnitrosamine-treated Sprague-Dawley rats were used to generate an index for hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS: The scatter plots of plasma amino acid concentrations showed distinct patterns in different organs that were due to the different protein contents of the diets. Network analysis showed that data-driven networks for blood and tissue could be obtained. We derived a diagnostic index for the discrimination of diabetic rats with both sensitivity and specificity >97% and another surrogate index for liver hydroxyproline with a correlation of r2= 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation-based network analysis may help to uncover specific physiologic conditions or states. A novel approach using amino acid molar ratios was shown to generate indexes that can be used to separate animal disease models and monitor the progression of a disease parameter. Some of the methods described here may be applicable to the clinical setting.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

RSK2 gene mutations in Coffin-Lowry syndrome with drop episodes.

Coffin-Lowry syndrome is an X-linked mental retardation disorder with dysmorphism caused by mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK2) gene. Coffin-Lowry syndrome patients can experience unusual drop episodes whereby an abrupt loss of muscle tone and falling down can be induced by sudden, unexpected tactile or auditory stimuli. We detected a C913T (R305X) mutation in a female Coffin-Lowry syndrome patient with drop episodes. All mutations in our patient and those previously reported in patients with drop episodes result in premature truncation of the RSK2 protein in the N-terminal kinase domain or upstream of this domain.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Absence of causative mutations and presence of autism-related allele in FOXP2 in Japanese autistic patients.

We analyzed the FOXP2 gene, which encodes a putative transcription factor containing a polyglutamine tract and a forkhead DNA-binding domain, for a possible causative mutation in autism. FOXP2 was reported to be mutated in patients with a severe speech and language disorder. FOXP2 was located on chromosome 7q31, which is one of the loci involved in autism. Autism and specific language impairment share some of their clinical phenotypes. In addition, FOXP2 was expressed abundantly in the brain. We screened all of the exons of FOXP2 for causative mutations in 53 Japanese autistic patients using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. A delCAA in exon 5 causing one glutamine deletion in the first polyglutamine tract was detected in four patients and in 2 of 50 control individuals. The frequency of the TT allele with the G to T base change in intron 15 was significantly high in the autistic population. The other base changes included one silent base change (A569G) in exon 5 and three in introns. Our results may suggest a relationship between autism and the FOXP2 gene or a gene located nearby.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Mutation analysis of methyl-CpG binding protein family genes in autistic patients.

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2), the gene implicated in Rett syndrome, was also reported to be involved in mental retardation and autism. MECP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, and MBD4 comprise a nuclear protein family sharing the methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) and are related to transcriptional repression. In 65 Japanese autistic patients, all the exons of each gene were screened for mutations by DHPLC, and the results were confirmed by direct sequencing. An R269C mutation that resulted in the addition of cysteine near a cysteine rich region was found in the MBD1 gene in one patient. This mutation was also detected in the patient's father with some phenotypes of autism and his normal sister, but not in 151 controls. Two repeat length polymorphisms, (GGGGCC)2 to 3 and (GGC)4 to 5, were detected in MBD2, and several polymorphisms were detected in each gene. Although our findings could not confirm that the genes of this family are responsible for the etiology in the majority of autistic patients, the R269C mutation in the MBD1 gene may relate to autism. The potential association of the high-polymorphic gene variants with autism needs to be studied further. Furthermore, these polymorphisms are useful for linkage analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Early-onset ataxia with oculomotor apraxia with a novel APTX mutation.

Early-onset ataxia with oculomotor apraxia and hypoalbuminemia is an autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia characterized by oculomotor apraxia, peripheral neuropathy, and hypoalbuminemia. Mutations in aprataxin gene located at chromosome 9q13 have been identified recently in Japanese and European patients. This study reports two cases of siblings with early-onset ataxia with oculomotor apraxia and hypoalbuminemia, which manifested early onset before 2 years of age with relatively rapid progression and severe dystonia. Both of the siblings were compound heterozygotes with aprataxin gene mutations, 689 insT and G692A, in exon 5 that encodes the histidine triad domain of the aprataxin protein. The novel missense mutation, G692A, was not present in 40 unrelated and unaffected individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Two new XPD patients compound heterozygous for the same mutation demonstrate diverse clinical features.

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and Cockayne syndrome (CS) are both rare autosomal recessive disorders with defects in DNA repair. They are usually distinct both clinically and genetically but in rare cases, patients exhibit the clinical characteristics of both diseases concurrently. We report two new phenotypically distinct cases of XP with additional features of CS (xeroderma pigmentosum and Cockayne syndrome crossover syndrome (XP/CS)) carrying an identical mutation (G47R) in the XPD gene within the N terminus of the protein. Both patients had clinical features of XP and CS but only one fulfilled most criteria for diagnosing CS. Unusually, patient 1 developed early skin cancer, in contrast to patient 2, who never developed any malignancies. Cells from both these patients have repair defects typical of xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) cells, but also had the phenotype of uncontrolled DNA breakage found specifically in XPD/CS cells and similarly reduced levels of TFIIH. Despite these similarities between our two patients, their clinical features are quite different and the clinical severity correlates with other cellular responses to ultraviolet irradiation.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

A specific and sensitive assay for gefitinib using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human serum.

The epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib is a novel, molecularly targeted agent that has been approved for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. This paper reports a specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pharmacokinetic studies of gefitinib. Anti-gefitinib antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits with an antigen conjugated with bovine serum albumin using diazotized 4-amino-2-methoxy-1-[3-(morpholin-4-yl)propoxy]benzene. Enzyme labeling of gefitinib with beta-D-galactosidase was similarly performed using a diazotized 4-amino-2-methoxy-1-[3-(morpholin-4-yl)propoxy]benzene. A simple ELISA for gefitinib was developed using the principle of direct competition between gefitinib and the enzyme marker for anti-gefitinib antibody which had been adsorbed to the plastic surface of a microtiter plate. Gefitinib concentrations in serum lower than 800 pg/ml were measurable reproducibly using the ELISA. Cross-reactivity data showed that the antibody well recognizes both the 3-morpholinopropoxy and methoxy moieties well, and thus is sufficiently specific for the structure of gefitinib. Using this assay, drug levels were easily measured in the serum of rabbits after oral administration of gefitinib at a single dose of 5 mg/kg. The specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA for gefitinib should provide a valuable new tool for use in pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies of gefitinib.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Pediatric neurology practice after adolescence].

To evaluate the current situations in child neurology practice for the patients after adolescence, a questionnaire was sent to 205 child neurologists. Major issues encountered in such practice included inpatient facilities, community medical networks, a training system for adult medicine, and financial support for such patients. Not only a system for practice, but also a continuing information transfer system between child specialists and adult specialists is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Dichloroacetate treatment for mitochondrial cytopathy: long-term effects in MELAS.

The long-term effects of the sodium salt of dichloroacetic acid (DCA) were evaluated in four patients with mitochondrial encephalomyelopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) carrying A3243G mutation. Oral administration of DCA in MELAS patients was followed for an average of 5 years 4 months. Serum levels of lactate and pyruvate were maintained at around 10 and 0.6 mg/dl, respectively. Serum levels of DCA were 40-136 microg/ml. Symptoms responding to treatment included persistent headache, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and stroke-like episodes. In contrast, no improvements in mental status, deafness, short stature, or neuroelectrophysiological findings were observed. Adverse effects included mild liver dysfunction in all patients, hypocalcemia in three and peripheral neuropathy in one. None of these adverse events was severe enough to require discontinuation of treatment. To determine suitable indications for DCA therapy, analysis of many more patients who have undergone DCA administration is required.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2004

Beneficial effect of L-arginine for stroke-like episode in MELAS.

We here reported the clinical course and therapeutic details of a 16-year-old girl with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) who had had five stroke-like episodes (two episodes were clinically mild, while the three subsequent episodes were severe). Among the three episodes, the symptoms improved earliest and magnetic resonance spectroscopy abnormality was minimal when given L-arginine in addition to prednisolone, glycerol and edalavone. L-arginine administration during the acute phase of MELAS might be a potential therapy to reduce brain damage due to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Establishment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of sotalol.

We have established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay suitable for routine monitoring of serum levels of sotalol. Anti-sotalol antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits with sotalol conjugated with bovine serum albumin using the N-succinimidyl ester method. An enzyme marker was similarly prepared by coupling sotalol with beta-D-galactosidase. The detection limit of sotalol by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was approximately 32 ng/ml with 50-microl samples. This assay was specific for sotalol because of very slight cross-reactivity with 4-(methanesulfonylamino)benzonitrile (1.6%), but none with D,L-isoproterenol. Using this assay, drug levels were easily measured in the serum of rabbits after oral administration of sotalol at a single dose of 3 mg/kg. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay should be a valuable tool in therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of sotalol.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2004

Screening of furanocoumarin derivatives in citrus fruits by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

This paper reports a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening of furanocoumarin derivatives as cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in citrus fruits. Anti-6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits with 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin conjugated with bovine serum albumin using the N-succinimidyl ester method. An enzyme marker was similarly prepared by coupling 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin with beta-D-galactosidase. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is capable of detecting as little as 800 pg/ml of 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin and 4 ng/ml of bergamottin. Cross-reactivity data showed that the antibody well recognizes both the furanocoumarin and 6,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2-enyloxy moieties of the 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin, and is thus specific to the structure of furanocoumarin derivatives containing geranyloxy side chain as the cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in grapefruit juice. The antibody was, therefore, used for screening a large number of citrus fruits for furanocoumarin derivatives such as 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin. Fifteen citrus fruits were examined and significant reactivity was observed in 8 of these: red pummelo, sweetie, melogold, banpeiyu pummelo, hassaku, sour orange, lime and natsudaidai. This enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may be a powerful tool for screening for furanocoumarin derivatives as cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in grapefruit juice.

Beverages↗

PubMed2004

Liquid chromatographic determination of ethambutol in serum samples based on intramolecular excimer-forming fluorescence derivatization.

A selective liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the assay of ethambutol in serum samples. The assay involves intramolecular excimer-forming derivatization with 4-(1-pyrene)butanoyl chloride (PBC) and isocratic reversed-phase chromatography with fluorescence detection. After acetonitrile-deproteinization of the serum sample, the derivatization reaction of ethambutol with PBC was completed within 30 min at 50 degrees C. N,N'-Diethylethylenediamine was used as an internal standard. The detection limit of ethambutol was 23 ng/ml serum, corresponding to 180 fmol on column at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The present method was selective enough to analyze ethambutol in rabbit serum without any tedious sample clean-up procedure because biogenic monoamines gave no peak in the chromatogram. The method was applicable to drug monitoring in rabbit serum.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Magnetic resonance findings in a case of Gradenigo syndrome: widespread inflammation involving the paranasal sinuses and middle ear].

Gradenigo syndrome is a rare condition consisting of otitis media, trigeminal neuralgia and abducens palsy. We report here a 6-year-old girl with this syndrome. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated inflammatory lesions in the left petrous apex and cavernous sinus, as well as stenosis of the left carotid artery. She was conservatively treated with antibiotics, which successfully improved her clinical and MRI findings. Surgical treatment including mastoidectomy was avoided. This case illustrates the usefulness of MRI in the diagnosis and management of Gradenigo syndrome.

Abducens Nerve Diseases↗

PubMed2003

Absence of allelic loss in cytomegalic neurons of cortical tuber in the Eker rat model of tuberous sclerosis.

The Eker rat is an animal model of tuberous sclerosis caused by a mutation in the Tsc2 gene encoding a tumor suppressor protein, tuberin. According to Knudson's two-hit theory, renal carcinomas and other tumors develop in various organs. Although the incidence of brain lesions is lower in the Eker rat than in human tuberous sclerosis, a cortical tuber was recently found in the cerebrum of an Eker carrier. In this study, we examined whether neuronal cytomegaly in the Eker rat tuber is caused by deletion of the normal Tsc2 allele and resultant loss of tuberin, as is the case with the majority of renal carcinomas. A combination of laser capture microdissection and semi-nested polymerase chain reaction demonstrated the presence of the wild-type Tsc2 allele in the cytomegalic neurons isolated individually. Immunohistochemistry also detected positive tuberin immunoreactivity in many of these giant neurons. These findings were in sharp contrast to those of renal carcinoma cells deriving from allelic loss. Our results provide evidence that many if not all cytomegalic neurons of a cortical tuber occur in the absence of allelic loss.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for therapeutic drug monitoring of mexiletine.

This paper reports a sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of the antiarrhythmic drug mexiletine in human serum. Anti-mexiletine antibody was obtained by immunizing rabbits with an antigen conjugated with mercaptosuccinyl bovine serum albumin using N-(epsilon-maleimidocaproyloxy)succinimide as a heterobifunctional coupling agent. Enzyme labeling of mexiletine with beta-D-galactosidase was performed using glutaraldehyde. In this assay, the mexiletine to be quantified is chemically modified by acetic anhydride allowed to compete with a mexiletine-beta-D-galactosidase conjugate for binding to a limited amount of an anti-mexiletine antibody which was used to coat the wells of a microtiter plate. Mexiletine concentrations lower than 80 ng/ml were measurable reproducibly by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This assay was specific for mexiletine and showed very slight cross-reactivity with its major metabolite, 2-hydroxymethylmexiletine (1.5%), but none with p-hydroxymexiletine. The values of serum mexiletine levels from 15 patients by this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were comparable with those measured by HPLC. There was a good correlation between the values determined by the two methods. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay should be a valuable tool in therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies of mexiletine.

Animals↗