Biomedical subjects

S Nonaka

Publications and source records attributed to S Nonaka.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from lupus vulgaris on an old burn scar: diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction.

A 66-year-old Japanese woman with a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from lupus vulgaris (LV) on an old burn scar on the left lower extremity is described. Ziel-Neelsen stain of a direct smear from the surface exudate showed acid-fast bacilli. Repeated culture for tubercle bacilli was negative, probably due to a technical error. The diagnosis of LV was successfully made by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). LV and burn scar are common preceding diseases for SCC. The former is rare in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. We were unable to determine whether only one of the two conditions or a combination of both was the true predisposing factor responsible for the development of this SCC. However, this case may be the first report of SCC arising from coexistent LV and a burn scar in which the diagnosis was confirmed by PCR.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Relationship between N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and liver protoporphyrin level in experimental porphyria.

The results of our previous studies demonstrated that isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) can aggravate griseofulvin (GF)-induced protoporphyria in mice. To elucidate this phenomenon, we studied the relationship between liver protoporphyrin (PP) levels and N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, which is known to be a major catabolic enzyme of INH metabolism in the liver. The results revealed a significant correlation between liver PP levels and NAT activity in the mice fed 0.1% GF and 0.05% INH. In this group, mice with high NAT activity developed severe protoporphyria. There was no correlation, however, between liver PP levels and NAT activity in the mice fed GF alone or INH alone. The result suggested that INH metabolites formed by NAT enhance the hepatotoxicity of GF in mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Measurement of nitric oxide in human nasal airway.

The nasal output of nitric oxide (NO) is known to be high, but there have been varying reports of the exact level. We attempted to establish a quantitative measurement of nasal NO, and looked for a possible relationship with nasal resistance, at rest and during exercise. Nasal airway ventilation was performed by using an air pump at a constant flow rate, whilst the soft palate was elevated voluntarily. In a preliminary study, the flow rate for sampling was changed and concentrations of NO were measured. After determination of flow rate, rhinomanometry for nasal resistance and measurement of nasal NO by chemiluminescence were carried out before and after moderate exercise. The concentration of NO ([NO]) exhibited a hyperbolic relationship with flow rate of ventilation (V'E), indicating [NO] x V'E = net nitric oxide output (V'NO) = constant. Hence, nasal NO was expressed quantitatively as V'NO (nL.min-1). For 1 L.min-1 of ventilation, [NO] varied between 2 and 500 parts per billion (ppb) (mean = 323 ppb). The average nasal V'NO in 12 healthy male subjects was 323 +/- 91 nL.min-1 (mean +/- SD). After exercise on a treadmill (10 degrees, 5 km.h-1) for 4 min, nasal V'NO decreased to 229 +/- 63 nL.min-1. At rest, expiratory and inspiratory nasal resistance was 0.27 +/- 0.04 and 0.27 +/- 0.06 Pa.s.cm-3, respectively. After exercise, expiratory and inspiratory nasal resistance decreased to 0.17 +/- 0.04 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 Pa.s.cm-3, respectively. These data indicate that nasal NO can be measured quantitatively as V'NO and might be involved in the control of nasal resistance.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[A fundamental study of relationships between rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry].

A cylindrical model consisting of a single or plural acrylic plates with holes of various cross-sectional areas was ventilated by a Harvard pump. Pressure flow curves of the combinations were drawn and analyzed according to the percent expression method. The length of the cylinder through the same cross-sectional area did not influence the ventilatory resistance. Divergent flow toward the downstream part decreased the resistance, but convergent flow from the upstream part did not. Simultaneous setting of convergent flow from the upstream part and divergent flow to the downstream part decreased the resistance most effectively, as much as approximately 70% of the original resistance. Two separately positioned cross-sectional areas in a respiratory circuit increased the resistance about 1.4 times when the separation length was more than 3 cm, while the resistance remained between 1 and 1.4 times when the separation was shorter than 3 cm. The average values of the minimum areas measured by acoustic rhinometry were usually much larger than expected from the present study. One of the factors affecting this difference may be that the axis from the nostril to the choana is complicated enough to significantly modify the aerodynamics of the nasal cavity.

Acoustics↗

PubMed1995

Histochemical properties of intrinsic laryngeal muscles in cats.

As one means in elucidating the contractile properties of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, we examined the histochemical properties of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA), thyroarytenoid (TA), lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA), arytenoid (A) and cricothyroid (CT) muscles in cats using the reaction for myosin ATPase following acid and alkali preincubation. The muscle fiber compositions of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles differed not only across the muscles but also across the muscle fascicles within a single muscle. The relative frequency of type-1 fibers was the smallest (9%) in the TA and the largest (45%) in the CT, and that of type-2A fibers was 39-48% in each muscle. The relative frequency of type-2B fibers was the smallest (9%) in the CT and the largest (42-45%) in the TA, LCA and A, and that of type-2C fibers was less than 1.0% in each muscle. Across the muscle fascicles, the TA was the most heterogeneous in muscle fiber distribution. The mediocaudal part of the TA was mainly composed of the muscle fascicles with type-1 fibers, while the laterocaudal and rostral parts of the TA were mostly composed of the muscle fascicles without type-1 fibers. The PCA was the most homogeneous in muscle fiber distribution. Our results demonstrate that the contractile properties of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles differ across the muscles and across the muscle fascicles within a single muscle and suggest that the delicate laryngeal movements are established by the coordinated activities of the intrinsic laryngeal muscle fibers with different contractile properties.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Multifunctional ventral respiratory group: bulbospinal expiratory neurons play a role in pudendal discharge during vomiting.

Pudendal motoneurons are activated in phasic bursts during the retching and expulsion phases of vomiting. The resulting contraction of the anal and urethral sphincters serves to maintain continence during the large increase in abdominal pressure that occurs during vomiting. We evaluated the contribution of bulbospinal expiratory neurons located in the portion of the ventral respiratory group (VRG) caudal to the obex (nucleus retroambigualis) to the control of pudendal motoneurons during fictive vomiting in decerebrate, paralyzed cats. Pudendal nerve discharge is abolished by cutting the axons of caudal VRG expiratory neurons as they cross the midline between the obex and C1 before descending in the spinal cord. All caudal VRG expiratory neurons that were antidromically activated from the sacral spinal cord, where the pudendal motor pool (nucleus of Onuf) is located, discharged strongly during the end of the expulsion phase of vomiting. However, only a small proportion of these neurons was active in phase with pudendal discharge during the retching phase. The apparent involvement of caudal VRG expiratory neurons in the control of pudendal motoneurons during vomiting is another example of the multifunctional role that can be played by respiratory-related neurons in the mammalian nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Rheumatoid arthritis in the northeastern area of the People's Republic of China and western Japan.

The clinical features of 134 consecutive hospitalized patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the northeastern area of the People's Republic of China and 251 consecutive hospitalized patients from western Japan were compared. A total of 91.8% of the Chinese patients were of Han nationality, while all of the patients from Japan were Japanese. The patients in the People's Republic of China showed more inflammatory articular disease and more frequent subcutaneous nodules than did the Japanese patients in the presence of a less elevated ESR value and less radiographic joint destruction. The clinical features of the patients of Han nationality and the Japanese did not change even after adjusting the patients' age and disease duration. The reasons for the contradictory features in the Chinese patients still remain to be clarified. This study is hopefully a first step in promoting more precise studies on rheumatoid arthritis in the People's Republic of China.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Postnatal development of locomotor movements in normal and para-chlorophenylalanine-treated newborn rats.

The contribution of the serotonergic system to postnatal development of locomotor movements in newborn Sprague-Dawley rats was studied from PND 1 to PND 15. To deplete serotonin (5-HT), p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) (200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered at PND 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13, and the results obtained from PCPA-treated pups (n = 20) and control pups (n = 20) were compared. Locomotor movements of the pups on the surface of a digitizer table were measured by attaching a miniature coil to the abdomen of the pups. Video-recordings were made to study the locomotor movements. From PND 1 to PND 5, no significant difference in body weights and locomotor movements was observed across control and PCPA-treated pups. After PND 6, the development of PCPA-treated pups was slightly retarded although both groups of pups opened their eyes at PND 14. Throughout PND 6 to PND 15, the total distance and mean velocity of locomotor movements were significantly lower in PCPA-treated pups than in the control pups. In addition, forelimb and hindlimb movements were not well coordinated in the former. These results suggest that retardation of locomotor movements in the PCPA-treated pups is due to a possible failure in the postnatal development of 5-HT and other neural mechanisms related to postural and locomotor control, and not due to that of general development of the pups themselves.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Increased IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) production and decreased IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio in mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

In order to investigate the possible role of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this study was undertaken to measure the amounts of IL-1ra and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) protein produced by mononuclear cells (MNC) and to investigate the relationship between production of these cytokines and clinical parameters. The MNC were cultured for 24 h and the supernatants were measured for IL-1ra and IL-1 beta by ELISA kits. MNC from peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid of RA patients produced significantly higher amounts of IL-1ra than normal PBMNC (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). When the IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio was calculated, IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratios of RA PBMNC were significantly lower than those of normal PBMNC (P < 0.001). The IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio of RA PBMNC was significantly higher in active RA patients than in RA patients in remission (P < 0.02). The amounts of IL-1ra produced by stimulated RA PBMNC positively correlated with the joint score (P < 0.05), serum CRP levels (P < 0.05) and the amounts of IL-1 beta produced (P < 0.01). The amounts of IL-1ra produced by unstimulated RA PBMNC did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters studied. Gold sodium thiomalate (GST), but not auranofin, increased IL-1ra production in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1995

A case of trichorrhexis nodosa developed in winter.

A young Japanese man developed localized trichorrhexis nodosa (LTN) of the scalp hair in the winter season. To investigate the roles of shampoo, severe sunlight exposure and/or mechanical injuries, we performed the following studies. Hair was collected from the patient and from a control. The study was performed in two steps. In the first step, hair was put into shampoo, rinsed with saline water, and then exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation once a day for one week. In the second step, the hair was similarly treated, but each shaft was bent gently with forceps before UVB exposure. Scanning electron microscopic studies revealed cuticular changes when the hair was treated only with shampoo and UVB. When it was treated with shampoo, UVB, and mechanical bending, the patient's hair developed longitudinal and transverse fractures of the hair shafts, while the control hair showed only partial damage to the hair shaft. On the basis on the above findings, we conclude that mechanical bending may damage the hair shaft.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Cutaneous malignant hemangioendothelioma: clinical and histopathological observations of nine patients and a review of the literature.

Nine patients with cutaneous malignant hemangioendothelioma (CMHE) were reported in Okinawa. All the patients were elderly, between 75 and 93 years of age. Four patients were males and five were female. The onset of the disease ranged from 1 to 9 months before the first visit. Eight patients had lesions on the scalp, and one, on the face and cheek. The lesions were in the form of exudative erythematous purpura, erythematous purpuric ulcers, and tumors. One patient developed a systematic metastasis involving the lungs, heart and intestine, and two patients had local metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes. Histopathologically, the tumor vessels were proliferated irregularly and showed anastomosis. The lumens were lined by large and atypical endothelial cells. Most of the specimens were infiltrated with large numbers of red blood cells. By electron microscope, Weibel-palade bodies were found inside the tumor cells located at the peripheral part of the lesion. The patients were treated by irradiation, IL-2 injection, and/or surgery. They were treated for 3 months to 2 years. Eight patients died between 4 to 24 months after the onset of disease and one has survived. The prognosis was poor.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Fastigiofugal projection to the brainstem nuclei in the cat: an anterograde PHA-L tracing study.

Fastigial projections to brainstem nuclei were studied using an anterograde neural tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L). Microinjections of PHA-L were made into the rostral pole, and middle and caudal parts of the left fastigial nucleus in cat. In addition to fastigioreticular and fastigiovestibular projections, fastigiofugal projections to cranial motor nuclei (IV, VI and VII) and those nuclei involved in autonomic control were identified. At the medullary level, a topographic arrangement of fastigioreticular projection was observed. Rostral and caudal parts of the fastigial nucleus projected to the ventral and dorsal parts of the medial reticular formation, respectively. Fastigiofugal fibers which originated from the rostral part of the fastigial nucleus innervated heavily the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGc), nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (NRMc) and the ventral paramedian reticular nucleus (PRN). Those fibers from the middle part innervated heavily the ventrolateral vestibular nucleus (VLV), NRGc, NRMc, ventral and dorsal PRN and parasolitary tract nucleus. From the caudal part of the fastigial nucleus, projections to the cranial motor nuclei (IV, VI and VII), VLV and inferior vestibular nucleus were observed.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[Porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria].

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is induced by an enzyme deficiency of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. As the result of this enzyme deficiency, uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin accumulate to the skin and other organs. These porphyrins are excreted into urine because of their easy solubility in water. Exposure to the sunlight of the porphyrin-rich skin induces cutaneous changes. Porphyria cutanea tarda develops mainly in middle-aged males, sometimes in females. Ethylalcohol, estrogenic hormones, and hemodialysis are reported as provocative factors. Hyperpigmentation on exposed areas, skin fragility, vesicles and erosions are common in PCT. Histopathologically, subepidermal bulla is a characteristic finding in PCT. PAS positive materials are also prominent around the small blood vessels in the dermis and dermo-epidermal junctions. Hepatoerythropoietic porphyria (HEP) is usually manifest in early childhood with dark urine and reveals severe cutaneous photosensitivity. This disease is a homozygous form of type II PCT.

Estrogens↗

PubMed1995

[Porphyria in dermatology].

Porphyrins are fluorescent chemicals excited by visual light. Skin changes in patients with porphyrias develop when the skin is exposed to sunlight and porphyrins have precipitated. This reaction is phototoxic. Since the phototoxic reaction varies with each porphyria, each porphyria demonstrates different skin changes. Conversely, skin changes do not develop if skins are completely protected from exposure to the sun in patients with porphyrias with show severe abnormalities in the metabolism of porphyrin pathways. In Japan, relatively popular porphyrias in dermatology clinic are porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP). Histopathologically, one of the most important findings in porphyria is a deposition of PAS positive materials at the dermo-epidermal junction and around the small blood vessels in the dermis.

Humans↗

PubMed1995

The effects of Tripterygium wilfordii extract on adjuvant arthritis in rats.

The effects of the extract of Tripterygium wilfordii. (TWE) on experimental adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the rat was studied. Lewis rats induced with AA were administered with TWE at 50 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks. The paw volume, its ratio to the body weight (paw ratio) and the radiologic changes in the feet of the rats with AA taking TWE were compared with those in the rats taking indomethacin (0.5 mg/kg/day) and no additional drugs. The rats taking TWE showed a smaller paw volume, a lower paw ratio and milder radiologic changes than the rats taking no drugs, however, the beneficial effects were weaker than those of indomethacin. We concluded that the beneficial effects of TWE on rats with AA was suggested. However, these results still need to be further confirmed by additional experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

[Amyloidosis of the small intestine secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: report of two cases].

We herein report two cases of gastrointestinal amyloidosis, secondary to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in one, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the other. A 21-year-old woman, who has been suffering from JRA for the past 12 years, was transferred to our hospital due to intense pain in the epigastrium and back, diarrhea, high fever, and paralytic ileus. Treatment by corticosteroid, antibiotics, protease inhibitor, and total parenteral nutrition was not effective. The laparoscopic surgery was performed because of repeated melena followed by an episode of hypovolemic shock. The resected specimen of the ileum showed histologically marked amyloid deposition in the arteriolar walls. A 83-year-old man with RA for 14 years, was admitted to our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. He underwent an emergency operation for perforation of the ileum. The resected specimen revealed amyloid deposition and non-caseating granulomas. The fragility and impaired blood supply caused by amyloid deposition in the vascular walls may have terminated in the severe intestinal lesion. Further clinicopathological studies along this line are keenly desired in order to establish therapeutic modalities for gastrointestinal amyloidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) level in the sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases--clinical significances in early onset rheumatoid arthritis].

Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) is a metalloproteinase that degrades articular cartilage matrix in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We measured MMP-3 in the sera from patients with RA and other connective tissue diseases using specific sandwich EIA and studied its clinical significance in early onset RA. MMP-3 level in healthy control (n = 170) was significantly higher in male than in female. The level of MMP-3 in RA was significantly and dramatically higher than in healthy control, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, primary sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, gouty arthritis and traumatic arthritis. Serum MMP-3 significantly correlated with serum BUN or serum creatinine levels in SLE patients but not in RA patients. In early onset RA, serum MMP-3 level was significantly elevated. Furthermore, when the relationship between the serum MMP-3 level and X-ray findings of the joints in RA was studied, it was found that MMP-3 level was elevated even in stage I or II and that there was no statistical differences between stage I or II and stage III or IV, suggesting that serum MMP-3 level is elevated in the early stage of initial inflammatory process when only mild cartilage degradation is seen. These results suggest that measurements of serum MMP-3 is an important tool for establishing diagnosis of early onset RA, and that serum MMP-3 level may be a marker of cartilage destruction and of estimating therapeutic efficacy in early onset RA.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Extracellular levels of serotonin in the medial pontine reticular formation in acute decerebrate cats with a microdialysis technique.

Extracellular levels of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the medial pontine reticular formation of acute decerebrate cats. The mean basal levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were 26 fmol/20 microliters and 15 pmol/20 microliters. Perfusion of the dialysis probe with high K+ and Ca(2+)-free Ringer solution for 60 min resulted in 4.8-8.5 x increase and 25-48% decrease in the extracellular levels of 5-HT, respectively, in comparison to the basal 5-HT levels. Perfusion with TTX-added Ringer solution for 60 min resulted in a consistent decrease in the extracellular levels of 5-HT.

Animals↗