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Biomedical subjects

T Takasu

Publications and source records attributed to T Takasu.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Nasu-Hakola disease. A case accompanied by abnormalities in fatty acid composition of serum total lipids and amino acid analysis.

A case of Nasu-Hakola disease (membranous lipodystrophy) was reported. The patient is a 33-year-old man who started to have pathological fractures at the age of 24 years. Then, neurological symptoms such as dementia appeared gradually. A biopsy specimen of the bone showed membranocystic changes of the adipose tissue. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images of the head showed low intensity in bilateral putamens, internal capsules, globi pallidi and caudate nuclei. One of his brothers has the same disease. In both patients, fatty acid composition of serum total lipids showed increased nervonic acid and plasma amino acid analysis showed decreased glutamine.

Adult↗

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in carcinomas of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses by polymerase chain reaction.

The authors retrospectively searched for human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 in 60 cases of carcinoma arising from the nasal cavities (NC) and paranasal sinuses (PS) by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. In cases of SCC (n = 49), the authors also compared the clinical features of patients with HPV-positive and HPV-negative results to determine the clinical significance of HPV. HPV 16 and 18 were detected in 7 of the 49 cases (14%) of SCC. In the other histologic types of carcinoma (n = 11), neither HPV 16 nor HPV 18 was detected. No significant differences in the clinical features were observed between patients with SCC with HPV-positive and HPV-negative results. The results suggest that HPV 16 and 18 are implicated in the pathogenesis of SCC arising from the NC and PS. However, the presence of HPV is not related to local progression, occurrence of metastases, or the prognosis of the patients.

Adult↗

Clinical significance of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses.

The authors retrospectively analyzed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification in 49 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising from the nasal cavities (NC) and paranasal sinuses (PS) by using slot-blot analysis of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. Also, the relationship between the results of gene analysis and the clinical features of the patients was studied to investigate the clinical significance of the EGFR in SCC of the NC and PS. Amplification of the EGFR gene was detected in 5 of the 49 cases (10%). No significant difference was observed between EGFR gene amplification and the presence of lymph node metastases, local recurrence, or prognosis. This suggests that EGFR gene amplification is not related to the local progression or metastasis of the SCC in the NC and PS. In addition, it appears that amplification of the EGFR gene is not a prognostic indicator for SCC in the NC and PS.

Adult↗

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with ophthalmoplegia and multisystem degeneration in patients on long-term use of respirators.

We describe two patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who had developed progressive external ophthalmoplegia of a predominantly supranuclear type while they survived on respirators, and displayed histopathological abnormalities both typical and atypical of ALS. Patient 1 was a 43-year-old man with ALS of 5-year duration, who had initially exhibited fulminant ALS, and remained on a respirator for 4 years. Patient 2 was a 51-year-old man with ALS of 13-year duration, who remained on a respirator for 8 years. Both patients died in a "totally locked-in state". Autopsy of both patients revealed not only histopathological abnormalities consistent with ALS, but also multisystem degeneration which involved the pontine tegmentum, substantia nigra, Clarke's dorsal nuclei and spinocerebellar tracts. In addition, Patient 2 displayed intracytoplasmic neuronal basophilic inclusion bodies which exhibited marked immunoreactivity to anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Our case reports indicate that the longer survival which is possible through the use of respirators may make one subgroup of ALS patients prone to develop atypical clinical and neuropathological features which are not observed during the natural course of ALS.

Adult↗

Latent herpes simplex virus type 1 in human geniculate ganglia.

Viral infection, especially by reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been considered to be a possible explanation for the pathogenesis of idiopathic peripheral facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy). We investigated whether the geniculate ganglia of man contain latent HSV type 1 (HSV-1), and compared the frequency of HSV-infected ganglia and that of latently infected neurons in human geniculate ganglia and in trigeminal ganglia. From autopsy specimens of eight adults 15 geniculate ganglia and 16 trigeminal ganglia were examined by means of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining. The HSV-1 genome was detected in 11 of the 15 (71%) geniculate ganglia and in 13 of the 16 (81%) trigeminal ganglia. No HSV antigen was noted in any of the ganglia. The incidence of latently infected neurons was 0.9% in the trigeminal ganglia and 5.3% in the geniculate ganglia. The difference in percentages between the two types of ganglia was significant. Our results suggest that reactivation of latent HSV in the geniculate ganglia is a probable cause of some cases of herpetic stomatitis and of idiopathic peripheral facial nerve palsy.

DNA Probes↗

Detection of varicella-zoster virus DNA in human geniculate ganglia by polymerase chain reaction.

Latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) has been demonstrated in the human trigeminal and thoracic ganglia by means of nucleic acid hybridization. However, the human geniculate ganglia in VZV latency have not been examined. Tissue DNA extracted from the trigeminal and geniculate ganglia of a newborn and 7 adults was examined by polymerase chain reaction with a pair of VZV-specific primers. None had symptoms of recent infection with VZV (chickenpox or shingles). VZV DNA was detected in 11 (79%) of 14 trigeminal ganglia and in 9 (69%) of 13 geniculate ganglia of the adults. VZV DNA was not detected in either type of ganglion from the newborn or from 1 adult who was seronegative for VZV antibodies. These findings indicate that VZV becomes latent in human geniculate ganglia after primary infection and suggest the possibility that reactivation of the virus from the geniculate ganglia may cause Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Adult↗

Triple cancers in the urogenital area of a patient with aplastic anemia.

Three epithelial neoplastic lesions, perineal Bowenoid papulosis, uterine cervical carcinoma, and bladder transitional cell carcinoma, which occurred in a mildly immunosuppressed patient who had aplastic anemia were studied for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In the Bowenoid papulosis, HPV type 16 DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by in situ hybridization (ISH). In contrast, in the uterine cervical carcinoma, HPV 16 was not detected, although possibly another unidentified type of HPV in the lesion was suggested by the ISH findings. In the bladder transitional cell carcinoma, neither papillomavirus genus-specific (PGS) antigen nor HPV DNA was found.

Adult↗

Epidemiological studies on measles in Karachi, Pakistan--mothers' knowledge, attitude and beliefs about measles and measles vaccine.

In order to gather information on the factors affecting the spread of measles vaccine in Pakistan, 287 mothers living in Karachi were interviewed concerning their knowledge, attitude and beliefs about measles and measles vaccine. Measles had been highly prevalent, mainly among infants between 9 and 18 months of age. The severity of the illness and the frequency of complications were well known and the importance of immunizations was well recognized. In traditional combined families grandparents had made the decision to take children for immunization, but many mothers had begun to feel that they were responsible for participation in the programme. The vaccine acceptance rate had increased sharply in recent years, primarily due to local health educators' activities and mass media such as TV programmes. The present findings confirm the importance of continuous effort toward promotion of primary health care by collaboration of motivated mothers and community health workers.

Adult↗

Elevated ratio of late measles among subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients in Karachi, Pakistan.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in Western countries and Japan is found more often in early- than in late-measles sufferers. Recent SSPE findings in Karachi, however, present a different picture. Age at measles contraction was obtained and analyzed for 44 SSPE patients identified in Karachi between 1983 and 1988. The ratios of early- (< 2 years of age) and late- (> or = 2 years of age) measles sufferers among 36 of these patients who had experienced only one attack of measles were 0.33 and 0.67, respectively. This is in striking contrast to the predominance of early measles in the SSPE histories reported in Japan and an number of Western countries.

Age Factors↗

Detection of latent herpes simplex virus DNA and RNA in human geniculate ganglia by the polymerase chain reaction.

By using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we detected latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in human geniculate and trigeminal ganglia obtained from autopsy cases. A pair of primers which were specific for a part of the HSV-1 thymidine kinase domain were used for detection of HSV DNA. We also examined the latency-associated transcript (LAT), known as latency-specific RNA, by means of reverse transcription-PCR with a pair of LAT-specific primers. HSV-1 DNA was detected in 16 of 17 (94%) trigeminal ganglia and in 15 to 17 (88%) geniculate ganglia of adults. We also demonstrated HSV-1 RNA derived from the LAT in both types of ganglia. These findings suggest that HSV-1 latently infects the majority of geniculate and trigeminal ganglia of adults, and that PCR and reverse transcription-PCR are useful tools for analysis of HSV latency.

Adult↗

[Contribution of proliferating cell nuclear antigen to prognostic evaluation of carcinomas of the maxillary sinus].

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a nuclear protein, synthesized in the late G1 and S phases of the cell cycle. Therefore, it is considered to be closely related to cell proliferation. The contribution of PCNA to prognostic evaluation of the disease was investigated in 42 squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinuses, retrospectively. Histological sections were prepared by formalin-fixation, paraffin-embedding and staining with monoclonal antibody to PCNA (DAKO, PC10) using the Avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. The percentage of tumor cells with positive staining for PCNA ranged from 26.3 to 92.3% (average; 61.7%). In order to evaluate PCNA in terms of prognosis, five-year survival rates in the following two groups were compared. One included cases with a PCNA positive rate above the mean level and the other, those below the mean level. Five year survival rate was 30.4% in the group with a higher positive rate, but 42.1% in the group with the lower rate. However, the difference in survival rate between the two groups was not statistically significant. In addition, no correlations either between the rate of PCNA positivity and T-classification of tumors or between the degree of tumor cell differentiation and metastasis to neck lymph nodes were obtained. Further study is necessary to evaluate PCNA as a prognostic marker in human malignancy.

Adult↗

Effects of chemical stimulation and lesion of the rostral ventrolateral medulla in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We investigated whether or not the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) participates in maintaining a higher arterial pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were anesthetized with chloralose, paralyzed with tubocurarine, and artificially ventilated. Chemical excitation of the RVL neurons by microinjection of excitatory amino acids (L-glutamate) elicited a dose-dependent pressor response in both the SHR and WKY groups. The magnitude of increase in the arterial pressure (AP) was similar in both groups, but the present increase of AP was higher in WKY than in SHR. Chemical lesions of the bilateral RVL produced by the microinjection of tetrodotoxin decreased the AP to the spinal level, which was similar in both groups. The results indicate that the RVL functions as the sole sympathetic output of the brain in SHR, and suggest that the RVL neurons may be tonically overactive to maintain hypertension in SHR.

Animals↗

Structural homology between hemagglutinin (HA) of measles virus and the active site of long neurotoxins.

The amino acid sequence of a carboxy terminal domain corresponding to the end of the outer envelope projection of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA) of measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis viruses has a high degree of homology with the active domain of long neurotoxins, which specifically binds to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The homology in amino acid sequence of HA to this domain of neurotoxin, as well as native alpha-bungarotoxin (BTx), was confirmed by the following evidence: a) rabbit anti-HA monospecific sera reacted with BTx in ELISA, b) HA dose-dependently blocked the binding of radio-labeled BTx in competitive radioimmunoassay, and c) antibody to a synthetic peptide of the active domain of BTx precipitated HA in radioimmunoprecipitation. In addition, SSPE patients had significantly high titers of antibody to BTx than healthy children who had been previously infected with measles. This epitope of HA may play an important role in the transsynaptic spreading of the virus in the brain.

Adolescent↗

Hair trace elements in cerebellar degeneration: low copper levels in late cortical cerebellar atrophy.

The levels of ten elements in the hair of 7 patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), 10 patients with late cortical cerebellar atrophy (LCCA) and 1489 healthy persons were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. The phosphorus, zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, aluminium and mercury concentrations did not show any statistically significant difference among the three groups. The copper concentration was significantly lower in the patients with LCCA than in the patients with OPCA, and in the healthy controls. The possibility that LCCA is associated with a mild degree of copper deficiency is considered.

Atrophy↗

A quantitative evaluation of pontine volume by computed tomography in patients with cerebellar degeneration.

We used CT to make a quantitative evaluation of the pontine volumes of 55 patients with adult-onset cerebellar degeneration and compared the results with their clinical records. Patients with pontine atrophy showed significantly more autonomic dysfunction and extrapyramidal signs; their other clinical features did not differ from patients without pontine atrophy. After dividing the patients into 2 groups, those with and without autonomic dysfunction or extrapyramidal signs, we found that those with these manifestations also had pontine atrophy, a later onset and shorter duration of the disease, and impairment of higher brain functions. The group without these manifestations had relatively normal pontine volume, a greater familial tendency for cerebellar degeneration, and longer duration of the disease. Our results suggest that quantitative volume evaluation of the pons by CT is important for the clinical categorization of cerebellar degeneration.

Atrophy↗

[Cytomegalovirus encephalitis in immunologically normal adults].

We report two cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) encephalitis in immunologically normal adults. Patient 1, a 53-year-old man: onset was acute with headache and pyrexia, followed by moderate disturbance of consciousness with meningeal signs. Repeated lumbar puncture revealed 58 CSF cells per microliters and 96 mg protein per dl. On the 11th day after onset, we started treatment with adenine arabinoside (ara-A). He recovered completely. With IgG-ELISA methods, antibody to CMV turned into positive on the third week, and into negative again on the fifth week, and these conversions were concomitant with the symptomatic aggravation and amelioration, respectively. Patient 2, a 78-year-old woman: onset was acute with general fatigue and pyrexia, followed by meningeal signs and mild disturbance of consciousness. Consciousness level was worsened and two courses of acyclovir (Acv) treatment were started on the 59th and on the 93rd day after onset, but consciousness level went down to coma and she died. Repeated lumbar puncture revealed 787 CSF cells per microliters and 229 mg protein per dl. CMV antibody titer (CF) in CSF was 1:32 and antibody index was 58 or more, suggesting antibody production in central nervous system. CMV encephalitis in immunologically normal adults is very rare, only 10 cases having been reported so far. Most patients recover spontaneously, but some may be fatal. In our view ara-A treatment should be taken in consideration in case of acute encephalitis unresponsive to Acv.

Aged↗

Effects of antidepressants on serotonin-evoked current in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA.

Serotonin (5-HT, 1 microM) induced an inward current in Xenopus oocytes injected with rat brain mRNA under steady voltage clamp conditions of -60 mV. The 5-HT response was blocked by 0.1 microM mianserin, but neither buspirone, 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), trifluoromethylphenyl piperazine (TFMPP), pindolol, propranolol, spiperone, ketanserin nor ICS 205-930 exerted effects, suggesting that the 5-HTIC subtype of 5-HT receptors is involved in the current. The 5-HT-induced current was inhibited by imipramine or desipramine with IC50 values of 60 nM or 20 microM, respectively. The response was also inhibited by setiptilline, maprotiline or amoxapine at a dose of 10 microM. Imipramine at 10 microM had no effect on the acetylcholine (ACh, 1 mM)-induced current response. It has been reported that inositol triphosphate (IP3) formation and intracellular Ca2+ are involved in the 5-HT- as well as ACh-induced current and that intracellular injection of either 50 pmol IP3 or 50 pmol Ca2+ mimics the 5-HT-induced current. The response induced by intracellular injection of either 50 pmol IP3 or 50 pmol Ca2+ was not affected by 10 microM imipramine. It is suggested that imipramine, and perhaps other antidepressant drugs tested, blocks 5-HTIC receptors, subsequently inhibiting the 5-HT-evoked current.

Acetylcholine↗