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Biomedical subjects

Y Takaya

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takaya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Anti-tumor activity of squid ink.

The anti-tumor activity of a new type of peptidoglycan isolated from squid ink was shown to have a cure rate of 64% for Meth A tumor from BALB/c mice. The ink delipidated in acetone, which contained the peptidoglycan at 0.1% (w/w), was administered to tumor-transplanted mice so as to examine the anti-tumor activity. One-fifth of the tumor-bearing mice was cured with 3 injections (1 mg/head) of the acetone delipidated squid ink or a prolongation of survival was observed in the treated animals. Heat treatment at 100 degrees C for 10 min did not affect the anti-tumor activity of the delipidated ink, its potentiality being preserved. The acetone-extractable fraction of the ink also brought about a similar cure rate for Meth A tumor. The delipidated ink enhanced the phagocytic activity of macrophages but no direct cytotoxicity was observed for the Meth A tumor cells. Hence it may be said that the anti-tumor activity of the delipidated ink was mainly due to the augmented cellular immunity in vivo.

Acetone↗

[Efficacy of TRH-T for spinocerebellar degeneration--the relation between clinical features and effect of TRH therapy].

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) therapy has been frequently attempted for the treatment of spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) and its efficacy has been confirmed. However, effectiveness is considered to differ depending on disease type, severity and the method of evaluating clinical improvement. We investigated the efficacy of thyrotropin releasing hormone-tartrate (TRH-T) in 23 patients with SCD consisting of cerebellar form (cortical cerebellar atrophy (CCA) and hereditary cortical cerebellar atrophy (H-CCA)), and multiple system form (multiple system atrophy (MSA) and hereditary olivopontocerebellar atrophy (H-OPCA)). TRH-T, 2 mg per day, was given intravenously for 20 days. The effect of TRH therapy was evaluated by assessing changes in balance function while lying, sitting, standing and walking, that may reflect the movement functions in active daily life (ADL) for the patients with SCD. The speech function was also evaluated qualitatively using acoustic analysis. The amine metabolites (HVA and 5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid possibly reflecting the noradrenaline and serotonin metabolism in the central nervous system were measured before and after treatment. Although mild or moderate improvement of the balance function during the course of TRH therapy was seen in 16 of the 23 patients, patients with cerebellar forms (CCA and H-CCA) improved significantly as compared to patients with MSA. The effect persisted for a long time (mean; 3.8 months) after TRH therapy in nine of the 16 patients, and eight (88.9%) of the nine had the cerebellar form of SCD. The levels of HVA and 5-HIAA in CSF also increased in patients with CCA as compared to patients with MSA and H-OPCA. The disease severity before the treatment in 14 (87.5%) of 16 patients who showed improvement of balance functions by TRH therapy was mild or moderate; possible of walking without support, or occasionally with support. Considering these results together, TRH therapy may be effective in patients with the cerebellar form of SCD, whose illness severity is mild, and may be recommended for support of ADL in patients with the cerebellar form of SCD.

Aged↗

Illexins A, B, and C from squid ink should have a branched structure.

Illexin A, illexin B, and illexin C, isolated from ink of the squid Illex argentinus, have been reported to have a structure consisting of linear repeating units of (-6GalNAc alpha 1-3GlcA beta 1-3Fuc alpha 1-)n [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 198, 560 (1994)]. This structure was further investigated using NOESY and atmospheric pressure MS/MS measurement of PA-trisaccharide obtained by acid hydrolysis of illexin C. The results indicated that the structure is, in fact, branched. Observation of both [GalNAc-Fuc-PA]- and [GlcA-Fuc-PA]+ obtained as product ions from the molecular ion of PA-trisaccharide on the MS/ MS spectra suggested a branched repeating unit. NOEs between H-1 of GalNAc and H-3 of Fuc, and between H-1 of GlcA and H-4 of Fuc, revealed the positions of glycosidic linkages, and from the results of sodium periodate oxidation of illexin C and PA-trisaccharide, the structure was determined to be (-3GlcA beta 1-4(GalNAc alpha 1-3)Fuc alpha 1-)n.

Animals↗

MRI of adrenoleukodystrophy involving predominantly the cerebellum and brain stem.

A case of adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy involving predominantly the cerebellum and brain stem is described. The patient was a 30-year-old man with no family history of adrenoleukodystrophy. His neurological symptoms were progressive cerebellar ataxia and spastic paraparesis. CT showed atrophy of the cerebellum and brain stem. MRI disclosed lesions, enhancing partially with gadolinium, in the dentate nuclei and the pyramidal tracts from the internal capsule to the brain stem. The biochemical findings were compatible with typical adrenoleukodystrophy, but the distribution of the lesions on MRI was distinctly different. After steroid administration, the patient's symptoms improved slightly and contrast enhancement of the lesions was markedly reduced.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

[Complex visual hallucinations in the hemianopic field following an ischemic lesion of the occipitotemporal base--confirmation of the lesion by MRI and speculations on the pathophysiology].

We report a patient who presented with complex visual hallucinations in the right hemianopic field following an infarction in the left occipitotemporal base. A 73-year-old right-handed woman developed right homonymous hemianopia. A week after its onset, she noticed a strange man with glasses, or a man wearing a gray hat and a black coat standing in the defective visual field. Such visual images later included a nurse, a large hand extending from the right side to the center, and many pieces of cloth descending from the roof. Most of these objects were unfamiliar to her, but may have been related to previous experiences. Her hallucinations were usually black and white singular and motionless, and sometimes consisted of multiple identical replications of objects. All of the hallucinations vanished when the patient tried looking directly at them. An EEG failed to showed any epileptic discharges. T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium-DTPA performed nine days after the onset revealed a localized high-signal-intensity region suggesting an infarction around the left collateral sulcus that included part of the lingual gyrus and the fusiform gyrus. 123I-IMP SPECT showed hypoperfusion of the left occipitotemporal base. The hallucinations gradually resolved a month after the onset, but the right homonymous hemianopia persisted. The enhanced lesion on T1-weighted images was no longer visible on MRI performed a month after the onset but, remained high-intensity on the T2-weighted images. There have been reports of complex visual hallucinations in hemianopic fields, but there have been only a few reports in which the responsible lesion was discussed on the basis of the CT and MRI findings. The findings in our patient suggest that lesions of the occipitotemporal base are one of the possible causes of this symptom. Taken together with earlier reports, not only pure release phenomena but irritative phenomena in the association visual cortex may be involved in the complex visual hallucinations in the hemianopic field, as Lance and Kölmel suspected.

Aged↗

[Dissociated adduction nystagmus in a patient with hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration].

A 66-year-old woman with a 10 years' history of autosomal dominant hereditary spinocerebellar degeneration developed an atypical nystagmus. Neurological examination revealed cerebellar ataxia, absent tendon reflex, supranuclear upward gaze palsy, saccadic pursuit and nystagmus. Nystagmus was a dissociated type and appeared only in lateral gaze and the amplitude was prominent in adducting eyes. Brain MRI showed cerebellar hemispheric and vermal atrophy, and pontine atrophy. Neuro-otological examination revealed normal caloric test, but impaired optokinetic nystagmus and visual suppression test. The dissociated adduction nystagmus of this case may correspond to gaze evoked nystagmus and latent hypofunction of the abducens motor neurons.

Aged↗

[HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) with cerebellar atrophy presenting a down-beat nystagmus].

A 67-year-old woman began to have difficulty in walking due to spastic paraparesis, sensory impairment in the lower limbs and instability on standing at the age of 59 years. Eight years later, she developed complete spastic paraplegia and urinary incontinence. On examination, she was found to have down-beat nystagmus and ocular hypermetria. Brain CT scan and MRI revealed cerebellar atrophy, predominantly in the vermis. HTLV-I antibody titer was increased in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). She was diagnosed as having HAM and placed on prednisolone, salazosulfapyridine and high-dose vitamin C. Her symptoms including gait disturbance, nystagmus and ocular hypermetria improved but did not completely disappear. In parallel with clinical improvement, the antibody titer to HTLV and the ratio of CD4/CD8 lymphocyte subsets in blood decreased. The above observations suggest that the cerebellar signs and cerebellar atrophy share the same etiology with HAM. The presence of nystagmus and prominent cerebellar signs plus the CT and MRI findings strongly suggest that the lesions in HAM are not limited to the spinal cord but extend to the brainstem and cerebellum.

Aged↗

[A case of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis and meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent adult].

A 71-year-old man who presented with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis and meningoencephalitis is reported. He had been healthy and immunologically normal. Initially, he complained of blurring of vision without headache, nor fever. Neurological examinations revealed papilledema, nuchal rigidity, and disorientation. Fluorescent angiography of the ocular fundi disclosed hyperfluorescent leaks suggesting chrioretinitis. His EEG had dysrhythmic slow alpha wave with some theta slowing. CSF studies showed pleocytosis up to 80/mm3; the cells were predominantly lymphocytes. The titers of toxoplasma antibody in the serum and CSF were prominently increased. Toxoplasmosis was highly suspected and he was treated with predinsolone, acetylspiramycin, and pyrimethamine. After the treatment, ophthalmologic and neurological symptoms improved, and the laboratory findings including the titers of toxoplasma antibody in the serum and CSF were also improved. Recently, toxoplasmosis associated with neurological complications as an opportunistic infection is a serious problem in the immunocompromised hosts, especially in AIDS, but this infection is rare in immunologically normal adults. Our case and some other reports may suggest a chance of developing toxoplasmic meningoencephalitis even in healthy individuals. We have to think of the possibility of toxoplasmosis in the immunocompetent hosts when they are presenting with chorioretinitis and meningoencephalitis.

Aged↗

Novel fucose-rich glycosaminoglycans from squid ink bearing repeating unit of trisaccharide structure (-6GalNAc alpha 1-3GlcA beta 1-3Fuc alpha 1-)n.

Three fucose-rich glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), illexin A, illexin B and illexin C, were isolated from squid ink of Illex argentinus. The GAGs were obtained by the method of Actinase E digestion, DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion-exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. They gave a single band on the electrophoresis using cellulose acetate membrane and contained equimolar ratios of Fuc, GlcA and GalNAc. Molecular weights of illexin A, illexin B, and illexin C were determined by Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration to be 50,000, 50,000-80,000, and 80,000, respectively. These GAGs were not digested with any glycosaminoglycanases. On the basis of one and two dimensional NMR spectra, glycosidase treatment and periodate oxidation of the pyridylaminated trisaccharide obtained by acid hydrolysis of illexin C, the unique repeating structure of the GAGs was determined to be (-6GalNAc alpha 1-3GlcA beta 1-3Fuc alpha 1-)n.

Amino Acids↗

An investigation of the antitumor peptidoglycan fraction from squid ink.

Squid ink, which has little commercial use and is usually discarded, was extracted using a Tris-HCl buffer (pH 6.8). The extract was fractionated using DEAE Sephacel ion-exchange chromatography and Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration to give a peptidoglycan fraction which exhibited strong antitumor activity against Meth-A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice following intraperitoneal administration. The fraction was composed of 7.8% peptide, 57% polysaccharide and 30% pigment. The polysaccharide component had a unique structure with equimolar ratios of GlcA, GalNAc and Fuc. Since the fraction has no direct cytotoxic effect on Meth-A cells, inhibition of tumor growth may be due to stimulation of host-mediated responses.

Animals↗

[Studies on analysis of gastric mucosal blood flow by electronic endoscopic image. Especially on atrophic gastritis].

The electronic endoscopic image of gastric mucosa was converted by image processing unit SP-1000 (A/D changed) into the one, which was treated with the color conversion method to measure the gastric mucosal hemoglobin index (Hb-index: HI). At the same time, biopsy specimens of gastric mucosa were removed from such 4 different sites as antrum lesser curvature, lower body lesser curvature, lower body anterior wall and upper body posterior wall. On pathohistological examination, the author observed the inflammatory cell infiltration, mucin production, the number and diameter of blood vessels, the degree of atrophic changes in gastric mucosa. HI values were compared with histological findings and with the degree of endoscopic appearance of blood vessel in the lower body lesser curvature. The following results were obtained. HI values were lower in the group with higher inflammatory cell infiltration and less mucin production, while the values were higher in the group with more numerous vessels and larger size ones in diameter. In the group with higher degrees of the pathohistological atrophic change and the endoscopic appearance of blood vessel, HI showed lower values.

Adult↗

[Periodic alternating nystagmus in familial congenital cerebellar ataxia].

We noted periodic alternating nystagmus (PAN) in two patients (mother and daughter) who were diagnosed as familial congenital cerebellar ataxia. The mother was 51-year-old and her PAN had about 4 minutes cycle. During eye closure there was a deviation of arms and trunk parallel to the direction of the slow phase of nystagmus. Vestibular stimulation during rotatory and caloric tests disclosed enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflexes, changes of direction and prolonged cycle of PAN. The patient had no visual suppression during caloric stimulation. The daughter was 14-year-old and although she had no spontaneous PAN she had latent PAN by showing changes of direction of nystagmus during the caloric stimulation. She had also no visual suppression during caloric stimulation. From these results the mechanism of PAN could be attributed to the periodic hyperfunction of vestibular nuclei caused by reduced suppression from cerebellar uvula and nodulus.

Adolescent↗

[A case of nephrotic syndrome associated with pulmonary infarction and renal vein thrombosis. (A review of literature)].

A case of nephrotic syndrome found by pulmonary infarction associated with renal vein thrombosis was reported. The renal biopsy showed the presence of membranous glomerulonephritis. The patient had the increase of serum level of the coagulation factor II, V, fibrinogen and FDP, and the level of urine FDP. These laboratory data suggested that the hyper coagulation state of his blood caused by nephrotic state, induced his multiple thromboembolism. We surveyed 47 case report abstracts of nephrotic syndrome patients having thromboembolism on the Japanese Journal of Nephrology published from 1974 to 1986. The histopathology of their renal biopsies showed the high incidence of membranous glomerulonephritis, followed by minimal change nephrotic syndrome and focal glomerular sclerosis. Renal vein thrombosis was the most common thromboembolism in the reports, followed by thrombosis of cerebral vessels, peripheral vessels and pulmonary artery. Some patients died of pulmonary infarction or myocardial infarction. These data showed that we must keep in mind of the possibility of thromboembolism in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

Glomerulonephritis, Membranous↗

Serum somatomedin A in Perthes' disease.

Serum somatomedin A, determined by radioreceptor assay in 47 children with Perthes' disease, was significantly reduced as compared to normal children of the same age. Nine children underwent the 1-Dopa tolerance tests to evoke growth hormone release; a normal response was found in eight. Patients with Perthes' disease tend to be short in stature with "disproportionate skeletal growth" of the limbs; growth is less in the distal than in the proximal extremities. The low serum levels of somatomedin A suggest some growth disturbance during the development of Perthes' disease.

Adolescent↗

Detection of DR antigen on leukemic cells from a patient suffering from adult T-cell leukemia and progressive systemic sclerosis.

This report concerns an unusual case of adult T cell leukemia (ATL) complicated with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). The surface markers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) and lymph node cells, both of which mainly consisted of leukemic cells, were examined. The effect of these cells on the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced IgG synthesis by normal PBM also was studied. The leukemic cells formed rosettes with sheep red blood cells (SRBC; E) and expressed T cell antigen, Leu-1, and DR antigen. The detection of cell surface antigens was carried out by employing monoclonal antibodies against these antigens. We diagnosed this case as DR positive ATL. In terms of the immunoregulatory function of these leukemic cells, the co-culture experiments showed that these cells had some suppressive effect on the PWM-induced IgG production by allogeneic normal PBM.

Female↗