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Biomedical subjects

Y Manabe

Publications and source records attributed to Y Manabe.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Two cases of Japanese CADASIL with corpus callosum lesion.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary stroke disease. In the present study, a Japanese CADASIL family was first reported with missense mutation of Arg141Cys of Notch3 and a unique lesion of corpus callosum. Upon neuropsychological examination, our case 1 showed only right-handed constructional apraxia associated with corpus callosum lesion. No other callosal disconnection signs were present. Sagittal T2 weighted image of case 1 showed multiple small lesions along with the pericallosal branches from the truncus to the posterior part of the splenium in the corpus callosum. Although detailed mapping of the corpus callosum for functional fractionation in humans remains incomplete, the constructional apraxia on the right may be related to callosal dysfunction from the truncus to the posterior part of the splenium in the corpus callosum.

Corpus Callosum↗

Two Japanese CADASIL families with a R141C mutation in the Notch3 gene.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary disease characterized by recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and strokes, and vascular dementia with Notch3 gene mutations as the cause of the disease. To date, there are only a few Japanese families ever reported with a mutation in the gene. Here, we report two more Japanese CADASIL families carrying a missense mutation in the Notch3 gene (R141C) with a unique lesion in the corpus callosum. This is the first report of two unrelated Japanese CADASIL families with a R141C mutation in the Notch3 gene. Although the disease is very rare among the Japanese population, our result suggests a possible relationship of this particular mutation (R141C) with the lesions of the corpus callosum.

Agenesis of Corpus Callosum↗

Rheumatoid factor positive hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis in association with hypopituitarism and multiple cranial nerve palsies.

This is the first report of a patient presenting with rheumatoid factor (RF) positive hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP) in association with hypopituitarism and multiple cranial nerve palsies. Our patient developed palsies of the left II and III, bilateral VI and VII, and right IX, X, and XII cranial nerves. A stimulation test showed hypopituitarism due to hypothalamic failure. The patient was seropositive for RF but had no multiple joint pain or deformities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed thickened dura of the sellar and parasellar region, hypothalamus, bilateral cavernous sinuses and the tentorium all of which were enhanced by gadolinium (Gd). Treatment with prednisone improved clinical symptoms and MRI findings concomitant with reduction of RF titer. Although the exact mechanism of HCP has not been clearly elucidated, the present case suggests an autoimmune mechanism associated with RF.

Aged↗

[Gene therapy and neurotrophic factor treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Although excitotoxic and oxidative stress play important roles in spinal neuron death, the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined cell damage of primary culture of 11-day-old rat spinal cord by addition of glutamate, nitric oxide (NO) or peroxynitrite (PN) with detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL). With addition of glutamate, NOC18 (a slow NO releaser) or PN, TUNEL positive nuclei were found in spinal large motor neurons from 24 h, and the positive cell proportion greatly increased at 48 h in contrast to the vehicle. The present results suggest that both excitotoxic and oxidative stress play important role in the apoptotic pathway in cultured rat spinal neurons. To examine a possible protective effect of exogenous glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene expression in transgenic (Tg) mice carrying a Gly 93Ala (G93A) mutant SOD1 gene found in human familial ALS, a replication defective adenoviral vector containing GDNF gene was directly injected unilaterally into leg muscles. There were significantly more large motoneurons in GDNF-treated Tg mice than in untreated and Ad-Laz-treated group. The number of large motoneurons in GDNF-treated side of Tg mice were significantly more than that in untreated side. These observations demonstrate that GDNF gene therapy in a mouse model of FALS promotes the survival of motoneurons, suggesting that a similar approach might delay the progression of neurodegeneration of ALS.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Fluctuating monoplegia due to venous insufficiency by spinal arachnoiditis ossificans.

This is the first report of a patient with venous insufficiency following compressive arachnoiditis ossificans (AO). Symptoms of fluctuating monoplegia and sensory disturbance appeared monthly, lasting several weeks each time. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high T2-weighted signal intensity in the posterior portion of the column from T11 to T12 and an intradural lesion with low T2-weighted signal intensity. Neurological function and MRI improved markedly following an operation on AO. The symptoms seen in the present case were due to posterior venous insufficiency following compressive AO.

Aged↗

Infarct presenting with a combination of Wallenberg and posterior spinal artery syndromes.

This is the first report of a patient presenting with a combination of Wallenberg and posterior spinal artery syndromes. The patient developed right hemiplegia and sensory disturbances on the right side of the face and over the whole body. MRI showed infarcts of the cerebellum, medulla oblongata, and upper cervical cord. These lesions were in the territory of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and the right posterior spinal artery (PSA). The combination was due to severe stenosis of the right vertebral artery.

Humans↗

Sjögren's syndrome with acute transverse myelopathy as the initial manifestation.

This is the first report of a patient with acute transverse myelopathy as the initial manifestation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The patient developed tetraparesis and sensory disturbance within 6 days of onset. Spinal MRI showed an extensive intraparenchymal lesion with high T2-weighted signal intensity, gadolinium enhancement, and cord swelling. Although the patient did not show clinical sicca symptoms, primary SS was diagnosed on the basis of clinical tests on lacrimal and salivary glands which showed high levels of autoantibodies. Treatment with prednisone improved motor and sensory symptoms and resulted in improvement of MRI findings. The present case suggests that acute transverse myelopathy can occur as an initial symptom of SS.

Aged↗

Effects of repeated methyl levodopa administration on apomorphine sensitivity of rotational behavior and striatal Fos expression of rats with unilateral 6-OHDA lesions.

This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism to develop levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease. For this purpose, we administered methyl levodopa repeatedly to a rat model of Parkinson's disease with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced lesion of the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway. After a washout period, we measured apomorphine sensitivity of contralateral rotation and made parallel determination of Fos expression in the caudate-putamen and globus pallidus of the same animal. Once daily, i.p. injection of methyl levodopa plus benserazide for 10 days increased the number of rotations over time. A challenge dose of apomorphine showed enhanced rotational response in rats pretreated with methyl levodopa. Repeated administration of methyl levodopa resulted in diminished apomorphine sensitivity of Fos expression in the dopamine depleted caudate-putamen and in enhanced sensitivity in the globus pallidus of the same side. Present results may add evidence to the idea that repeated administration of levodopa develops dopaminergic sensitization mediated by augmented activation of pallidal neurons involved in D2-responsive pallidal output pathway.

Animals↗

Hydra biological detection of biologically active peptides in rat cerebrospinal fluid.

The Hydra bioassay system utilizes a tentacle ball formation (TBF), a component of the feeding response of hydra, elicited by S-methyl-glutathione. TBF is modulated by many biologically active peptides in a specific way to individual peptides, and is useful in investigating biologically active peptides in a complex biological sample. We applied the hydra bioassay to explore a possible biologically active substance responsible for the decrease in the motor activity of the mice. The suppression of the CSF obtained from rats after exhaustive exercise was marked lower than that of sedentary rats. Addition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is the only substance known to nullify TBF, to CSF of the sedentary rat reproduced this change in the suppression of the TBF. This system is useful to screen active peptides in small amounts of biological samples containing very low concentrations of peptides.

Animals↗

Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy in lymphoma.

We report a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed a unilateral left oculomotor nerve palsy. Only eyelid lifting and vertical gaze were involved. Lateral gaze or sizes and light reactions of pupils were not involved. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhancement of an upper part of left cavernous sinus and the posterior clinoid process. It was conceivable that lymphoma invaded the upper branch of oculomotor nerve. Such neurological symptoms in cases of oculomotor nerve palsy by lymphoma have not been reported previously. Because cranial neuropathy could occur as the first sign of lymphoma, lymphoma is an important differential diagnosis for the partial oculomotor palsy such as our present case.

Aged↗

A case of spinocerebellar ataxia accompanied by severe involvement of the motor neuron system.

We report a sporadic case of spinocerebellar ataxia accompanied by later but severe involvement of the motor neuron system. A 72-year-old man began to show ataxia and dysarthria at age 66 years. Neurological examinations revealed saccadic eye movement, slurred speech, truncal ataxia, pyramidal sign, and urinary disturbance. Neither history of alcoholism nor hereditary factors were found. He developed muscular atrophy of the lower and upper extremities and limb ataxia within three years. Superficial and deep sensations were diminished in both feet four years after onset. Thus, he presented with cerebellar ataxia, bulbar sign, upper and lower motor neuron symptoms, sensory disturbance, and autonomic sign after six years at age 72. The level of serum, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was increased, and muscle biopsy showed marked neurogenic change. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed mild cerebellar and pontine atrophy. Although the combination of spinocerebellar ataxia and motor neuron disease is very rare, the present case suggests the inter-relation of the spinocerebellar and motor neuron systems, and presents peripheral neuropathy as a subtype of multisystem atrophy.

Aged↗

Suppression of S-methylglutathione-induced tentacle ball formation by peptides and nullification of the suppression by TGF-beta in Hydra.

Tentacle ball formation (TBF) in Hydra elicited by S-methylglutathione (GSM) was modulated by a number of biologically active peptides. Hydra fed on Artemia, which had been hatched in a common salt solution supplemented with LiCl and ZnCl(2), easily induced TBF in response to GSM after pretreatment with trypsin. After Hydra were treated with 100 pg/ml trypsin for 10 min, the response to GSM (TBF) was sensitively suppressed by acidic fibroblast growth factor and other biologically active peptides for >10 h. Various peptides, but not transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), suppressed GSM-induced TBF in a specific pattern for each peptide. However, TGF-beta was unique in that it did not suppress the response to GSM, but nullified the suppressive effect of other peptides. Only active TGF-beta nullified the suppressive effect of the peptides, and the latent form of TGF-beta neither suppressed GSM-induced TBF nor nullified the suppressive effect of other peptides. Members of the TGF-beta family suppressed GSM-induced TBF. These results indicate that all peptides examined, except for TGF-beta suppressed the response to GSM in a manner specific to each peptide. This assay system would be useful in identification of biologically active peptides.

Animals↗

Diazepam-binding inhibitor-like activity in rat cerebrospinal fluid after stimulation by an aversive quinine taste.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) taken from rats after stimulation by an aversive quinine taste (hereafter called quinine CSF) administered into the fourth ventricle of mice suppressed their intake of 5% sucrose solution. We examined the effects of CSF on glutathione-induced tentacle ball formation (TBF) of hydra to determine the change in CSF components associated with aversive taste stimuli. The suppressive activity of quinine CSF on TBF in the presence of 3 microM S:-methyl-glutathione (GSM) was markedly lower than that of CSF obtained from control rats (control CSF). Pronase-treated quinine CSF had suppressive activity similar to that of control CSF. The active principle passed through an ultrafiltration membrane, with a molecular weight cut-off of 30 kDa, but not through one with a cut-off of 3 kDa. A peptide fragment of diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) nullified the suppression of TBF at 3 microM GSM by control CSF. The nullifying activity of quinine CSF was not observed after treatment with a benzodiazepine receptor preparation that was able to bind DBI. When flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, was given to mice, the suppression of the intake of 5% sucrose solution by quinine CSF was partially reversed. It is suggested that quinine CSF contains a DBI-like substance.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical and immunoelectron-microscopic study of somatotrophs in ICR and nonobese diabetic mice.

Somatotrophs (GH cells) were classified immunoelectron microscopically into three types mainly on the basis of the size of secretory granules in the mouse pituitary of ICR strain. Type I cells contained large secretory granules. Type II cells contained both large secretory granules and small secretory granules. Type III cells contained small secretory granules. All three types of GH cells were found from the neonatal ages to adult. The relative proportion of three types did not change with age, and no sex differences in the relative proportion of the cell types were detected. Type I cells predominate in all age groups observed. In 60-day-old male mice percentages of each type were as follows: type I 93.7 +/- 0.1%, type II 5.4 +/- 0.8%, and type III 0.9.0 +/- 0.4% (n = 5), and in 60-day-old female mice type I 95.2 +/- 0.1%, type II 2.7 +/- 0.5%, and type III 2.1 +/- 0.9% (n = 5). The maximum diameters of the large secretory granules increased from 7 to 60 days of age. The small secretory granules similarly increased in size in female mice, but those in male mice did not change. In the diabetic female mice of the nonobese diabetic (NOD) strains, GH cells in diabetic mice became smaller, and the number and size of secretory granules decreased, indicating diminished GH secretion. However, the relative proportion of each subtype of GH cells did not differ irrespective of the occurrence of diabetes.

Animals↗

Morphological and functional study of regenerated chorda tympani nerves in humans.

It is still unclear whether the chorda tympani nerves in humans regenerate after being severed during middle ear surgery, although functional studies have demonstrated recovery of taste 1 to 2 years after surgery. To date, 12 cases of regenerated chorda tympani nerves have been found in our series of patients during secondary surgery. The regenerated nerves of 3 cases of the 12 were removed as samples during secondary surgery to detect regenerated myelinated axons. All regenerated nerves were in the submucosal connective tissue layer of the reconstructed eardrum. In the regenerated nerves, myelinated nerve fibers existed in a small fascicle or in connective tissue, but the number of myelinated axons was low compared with that in normal subjects ( 1.752 +/- 78; n = 3), and the distribution was sparse. The total number of regenerated myelinated axons varied from 141 (8.3%) to 979 (55.9%). From a functional study using electrogustometry, incomplete recovery of electrogustation was observed in all 3 cases before secondary surgery, suggesting that chorda tympani nerves actually regenerate in the middle ear and do function.

Adult↗

Biochemical studies of dopaminergic activation by stimuli of corn oil in the oral cavity in mice.

We investigated the effects of corn oil stimuli in the oral cavity on monoaminergic neurones by measuring the amount of monoamines and their metabolites in brains of mice. Intraoral injection of corn oil (0.1 ml) increased dopamine (DA) turnover rate in the cortex 3, 5 and 10 min after injection in mice. A significant increase of DA turnover rate was also observed in midbrain 10 min after the corn oil injection. Turnover rates of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) were not affected by the corn oil injection in any of the regions or times tested. In the chronic study, DA and 5-HT contents in the left and right cortexes and 5-HT contents in diencephalon in the chronic corn oil-fed group were significantly higher than those in the-control but NA contents were not significantly different between the two groups in all regions. In conclusion, the present results suggested that the stimuli of corn oil in the oral cavity might activate dopaminergic systems in the brain of mice and its chronic stimuli might increase DA contents in the brain. Although 5-HT contents increased in the brains of mice by the chronic corn oil intake, its physiological implication remains to be elucidated.

Animals↗