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Biomedical subjects

A Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to A Kondo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effect of ageing on blood flow to the bladder and bladder function.

Ischemia, induced by atherosclerosis, is a common cause of disorders in the elderly. Bladder dysfunction in older people may be caused by detrusor ischemia. We compared blood flow to the bladder and detrusor function in vivo and in vitro in young (6-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats. In both young and old rats, blood flow to the bladder measured by a laser Doppler flowmeter decreased as intravesical volume increased and was smaller in old rats than in young rats. Cystometrograms performed under anesthesia showed that old rats had smaller voiding pressure and larger bladder capacity than young rats. In isolated bladders, the pressure increase in response to bethanechol and low frequency field stimulation were impaired by aging. Volume-pressure studies showed that in isolated bladders of old rats compliance was greater and peak response to field stimulation was observed at a larger capacity. These findings indicate that bladders of older rats have a larger capacity with good compliance, but less contractility. Aging changes correlate with a decrease in blood flow to the bladder.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Massive subependymal hemorrhage caused by an occult vascular malformation--two case reports.

Two patients presented with massive subependymal hemorrhage caused by vascular anomalies occult to angiography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A 47-year-old male initially presented with a headache and became comatose 3 weeks later. CT and MR imaging demonstrated a massive hematoma in the right caudate head projecting into the lateral ventricle. A 60-year-old male sustained heaviness of his left extremities 8 days prior to admission and his condition gradually deteriorated. Neuroimaging revealed a right thalamic hematoma adjacent to the lateral ventricle. Cerebral angiography, CT, and MR imaging failed to detect any vascular anomaly. The hematomas increased in size gradually and were surgically explored. The histological diagnosis was arteriovenous malformation for the first case and cavernous angioma for the second case that had ruptured repeatedly. These cases were unique in the unusual location in the subependyma, and diagnostic neuroimaging modalities could not disclose the vascular anomalies, and the hematomas enlarged progressively to become critically symptomatic. Surgical intervention is mandatory for mass reduction and correct diagnosis of such lesions, with favorable outcome as long as the surgery is not delayed until too late.

Caudate Nucleus↗
PubMed1999

[A case of successful treatment of postprandial syncope with combined use of amezinium metilsulfate and dihydroergotamine mesylate].

An 86-year-old man, with a history of old cerebral hemorrhage, experienced repeated syncope after the meal. The blood pressure significantly decreased at the onset of syncope, and postprandial hypotension (PPH) was diagnosed. In order to treat the syncope, we administered midodrine hydrochloride, amezinium metilsulfate and dihydroergotamine mesylate. However, each of these drugs failed to prevent PPH and the syncope persisted. Then we administered a combination of amezinium metilsulfate and dihydroergotamine mesylate. This led to the disappearance of the syncope together with PPH. Combined use of these drugs should be further evaluated in the elderly patients with PPH.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Less invasive surgery for early gastric cancer based on the low probability of lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Less invasive treatment is the current trend in many surgical fields. Most patients with early gastric cancer do not have lymph node metastasis. Thus extensive resection of the stomach and extended lymph node dissection do not appear to be necessary. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 890 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer who had undergone standard gastrectomy were assessed for depth of invasion, gross appearance, and maximum diameter of the tumor to examine the possibility of limiting the extent of lymph node dissection. A variety of limited gastrectomies have been developed and now include endoscopic mucosal resection, wedge resection, segmental gastrectomy, limited proximal gastrectomy, and distal hemigastrectomy. RESULTS: A retrospective study revealed that extensive lymph node dissection did not improve the survival of patients with early gastric cancer. Endoscopic mucosal resection was suitable for cancers of the depressed type of less than 1 cm in diameter and the elevated type of less than 2 cm in diameter. Wedge, segmental, or limited proximal gastrectomy was suitable for the elevated type of 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The elevated type of more than 3 cm in diameter and the depressed type of 1 to 3 cm in diameter sometimes involved metastasis to group 1 nodes. The depressed type of more than 3 cm in diameter sometimes involved metastasis to group 2 nodes. Thus such cases should be treated by gastrectomy with dissection of potentially metastatic lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Limitation of the extent of gastrectomy and lymph node dissection may be possible, depending on the gross appearance and size of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor correlates with hematogenous recurrence in gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: It has recently been reported that the microvessel density in a tumor correlates with hematogenous metastasis in gastric carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which was thought to be a potent angiogenesis-promoting factor, and hematogenous recurrence in advanced gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and the density of the microvessels were examined by immunohistochemistry in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma with serosal invasion who had undergone curative resection. RESULTS: The prognosis of patients with a VEGF-negative tumor was significantly better than that of patients with a VEGF-positive tumor. Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards model showed that the expression of VEGF was an independent prognostic indicator. The expression of VEGF provided a significant estimate of relative risk for the development of hematogenous recurrence by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The microvessel count in VEGF-positive tumors was significantly higher than that in VEGF-negative tumors. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF is associated with hematogenous recurrence. Assessment of the expression of VEGF may therefore prove valuable in identifying patients with gastric carcinoma at high risk for recurrence who would benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Drug-induced pneumonitis].

Drug can cause various types of lung damages, with drug-induced pneumonitis (including acute interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, eosinophilic pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis) being the most important among them. The incidence and the causative agents of drug induced pneumonitis have varied over time. Before 1980, anticancer agents and gold salts were the main drugs, and the number of causative drugs (61) and case reports was small. Recently, pneumonitis has increasingly been caused by Chinese herbal medicines, antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, cytokines, and gold salts, and the number of case reports and drugs involved (177) has increased. Drug-induced pneumonitis has characteristics that depend on the causative agent. Review of our patients and reports in Japan revealed the following. Pneumonitis caused by anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and antibiotics generally develops at 1-2 weeks after starting administration, and bronchoalveolar lavage and histologic examination of lung biopsies reveals the features of eosinophilic pneumonia. Such pneumonitis is associated with a high frequency of a positive drug lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST), and has a good outcome. Conversely, with pneumonitis caused by anticancer and immunosuppressive agents, the onset is often delayed and the disease has features of diffuse interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. The frequency of a positive DLST is low, and the outcome is generally poor. Pneumonitis induced by Chinese herbal medicines, gold salts, and antituberculosis agents has intermediate features between the above two types :i.e., it develops after 2-3 months or six months (gold salts), and resembles either eosinophilic pneumonia, BOOP or interstitial pneumonia. For in vitro identification of causative drugs, the DLST and the leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) are generally used. The latter test is superior in sensitivity, suggesting that the mechanism of this test involves cytokines such as IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-8.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

A prospective pilot study of extended (D3) and superextended para-aortic lymphadenectomy (D4) in patients with T3 or T4 gastric cancer managed by total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Japanese surgeons have been actively performing extended lymphadenectomy (D2, removal of perigastric nodes and nodes along the left gastric, common hepatic, celiac and splenic arteries; or D3, D2 plus removal of nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament, in the retropancreatic space and along the vessels of the transverse mesocolon). In recent years interest has expanded to superextended lymphadenectomy (D4) of nodes around abdominal aorta (para-aortic lymph nodes from aortic hiatus to aortic bifurcation). Because the therapeutic value of this D4 procedure remains controversial, we initiated a prospective study to compare D3 and D4 lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Seventy patients with T3 or T4 gastric cancer and without macroscopic metastasis to the para-aortic nodes treated by potentially curative total gastrectomy were randomized to D4 (group A, n = 35) and D3 (group B, n = 35) lymphadenectomies. RESULTS: Metastases to para-aortic nodes were found in 4 patients. Postoperative survival after D4 resection was not statistically significant between the groups. Postoperative morbidity for group A was greater. In group A 4 patients had postoperative retention of intra-abdominal fluid (lymphorrhea) and 4 others had prolonged diarrhea. One patient in each group died of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of microscopic disease in grossly normal para-aortic lymph nodes may generate occasional long-term survivors. Selecting appropriate candidates who might benefit from D4 resections needs to be refined. On the basis of this study, a nationwide study should be considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[The application of end user computing (EUC) for detection of lipoprotein lipase gene abnormality].

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is an enzyme digesting lipoprotein triglyceride (TG) in peripheral blood vessels. Most patients with LPL deficiency show very high plasma TG and low HDL-C. To establish an effective computer-based screening system to identify individuals with genetic LPL disorders, we selected 50 subjects whose plasma TG was over 350mg/dl and HDL-C was lower than 35mg/dl from patients at Hamamatsu University Hospital. We applied End User Computing (EUC) of our laboratory system to select high risk subjects with LPL gene abnormalities. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products from LPL gene exons 2-9 were screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), direct DNA sequence analysis and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). We found a novel missense mutation (1223C-->G, S323C) in LPL gene exon 7 from three subjects. By PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis and restriction digestion, the three subjects were found to be heterozygous. In addition, we identified two other common mutations in Japanese employing the RFLP method. One was the 1595C-->G (S447X) in exon 9 from six subjects, two homozygous and four heterozygous individuals. The other was a mutation of intron 3 (C-->T transition) from four heterozygous subjects. Using EUC screening method, we detected genetic LPL abnormalities more easily. The frequency of the LPL gene mutation in the 50 high-risk subjects was 26%, and was estimated to be one out of 2,000 patients at our clinic. Using the EUC system to screen for LPL mutations was established to be an effective computer-based screening system to identify individuals with genetic abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Evaluation of screening methods for cholinesterase variants from daily laboratory data].

The genetic variants of the cholinesterase (ChE) are frequently misdiagnosed as a liver dysfunction. We compared three extraction methods for screening of ChE abnormalities. Employing these three methods, total 31 cases were found to be genetic abnormalities from 2985 patients of Hamamatsu University Hospital. We picked up 11 of candidates with low enzyme activities less than 100U/l as group 1 using the first method and effectively detected 9 cases (82%) with genetic abnormalities. The second extraction method was based on the ratio between Albumin (Alb) and ChE and subsequently, 48 of high risk patients were picked up as group 2 and 28 cases (58%) showed genetic abnormalities. Furthermore, all cases of group 1 were contained in the second group. The third method was based on the discrimination function from Alb and total cholesterol (TC) as group 3 and 32 cases were picked up. Fourteen cases (44%) out of them showed the genetic abnormalities using this method, and surprisingly, 13 cases (93%) of them were estimated to be K-variant. Although the three methods showed the different characteristics to extract genetic abnormalities of ChE, the second extraction method could pick up the largest population with genetic abnormalities. Further phenotypic extraction methods should be compared to understand the relationship between phenotype and genotype.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1999

Dynamic reaction in a homogeneous HDL-cholesterol assay visualized by electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) by homogeneous assays with automated analyzers is replacing precipitation methods. However, in this reaction-type assay, interactions between the reagents and lipoproteins remain unknown. METHODS: Electron microscopy was used to investigate the reactions in a homogeneous HDL-C assay. Negative staining with 10 g/L uranyl acetate was performed for lipoprotein visualization by electron microscopy. Observations of the interactions between lipoproteins and the reagents of a polyanion-polymer/detergent assay were achieved by cooling the reaction mixture in ice water. This treatment also allowed observation of the time course of the reaction. RESULTS: In the first-reagent reaction (polyanion-polymer), every lipoprotein aggregated almost completely. In the second-reagent reaction (enzymes and detergent), only HDL in the lipoprotein aggregates was selectively resolved and reacted enzymatically. Reagent 1 contains two important substances: polyanion and synthetic polymer. Using x-ray microanalysis, we confirmed that aggregation of lipoproteins in the first reaction occurred through interaction with the phosphotungstate of the polyanion. CONCLUSION: Electron microscopy morphologically revealed the dynamic reaction in a homogeneous HDL-C assay.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1998

The structures of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of rat liver cathepsin L reflect the substrate specificity of lysosomal alpha-mannosidase.

We have studied the structures of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of cathepsin L purified from rat liver in detail. The oligosaccharides released from rat liver cathepsin L on glycopeptidase-F treatment were tagged with 2-aminopyridine at their reducing ends. The pyridylamino (PA) derivatives were separated into seven fractions according to molecular size by normal-phase HPLC. The structure of each oligosaccharide thus isolated was analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC and characterized by ion-spray mass spectrometry and high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of rat liver cathepsin L are of the oligomannose type, having two to six mannose residues. Among them, the five major ones are Manalpha1-6Manbeta1-4-GlcNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc, Manalpha1 -6Manalpha1-6Manbeta1-4GIcNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc, Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-3)-Manalpha1-6Manbeta1- 4GlcNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc, Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-3)Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-3) Manbeta1-4Glc-NAcbeta1-4GlcNAc, and Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-3)Manalpha1-6(Manalpha1-++ +2Manalpha1-3)Manbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-4Glc-NAc. Their structures are shown to be products of Man6GlcNAc2 hydrolysis with lysosomal alpha-mannosidase.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Coexpression of GTP cyclohydrolase I and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNAs in mouse osteoblastic cells activated by proinflammatory cytokines.

Proinflammatory cytokines, a combination of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, caused mRNA expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTP-CH), the rate-limiting enzyme in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) biosynthesis, and of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a well-characterized osteoblastic clone MC3T3-E1 cell line. We found the expression of the GTP-CH gene in osteoblasts for the first time. The expression of GTP-CH and iNOS mRNAs was found to be maximal at 3 and 9 h, respectively. The expression of both genes elicited increases in BH4 and NO levels. Pharmacological studies using 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, an inhibitor of GTP-CH activity, showed that BH4 is involved in the activity of iNOS, but not in the induction of iNOS mRNA. The results using an inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activating protein-1 (AP-1) activation suggested that coinduction of the two genes in response to cytokines occurred via activation of NF-kappaB and AP-1. In MC3T3-E1 cells BH4 and sepiapterin, producing BH4, could protect against apoptosis, i.e. the degradation of nuclear DNA in the cells, induced by NO derived from S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D-L-penicillamine. These results suggest that the induction of BH4 together with NO by proinflammatory cytokines could protect against NO-induced apoptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Several common HLA-DR types share largely overlapping peptide binding repertoires.

The peptide binding specificities of HLA-DRB1*0401, DRB1*0101, and DRB1*0701 have been analyzed by the use of large collections of synthetic peptides corresponding to naturally occurring sequences. The results demonstrated that nearly all peptides binding to these DR molecules bear a motif characterized by a large aromatic or hydrophobic residue in position 1 (Y, F, W, L, I, V, M) and a small, noncharged residue in position 6 (S, T, C, A, P, V, I, L, M). In addition, allele-specific secondary effects and secondary anchors were defined, and these parameters were utilized to derive allele-specific motifs and algorithms. By the combined use of such algorithms, peptides capable of degenerate DRB1*0101, DRB1*0401, and DRB1*0701 binding were identified. Additional experiments utilizing a panel of quantitative assays specific for nine additional common DR molecules identified a large set of DR molecules, which includes at least the DRB1*0101, DRB1*0401, DRB1*0701, DRB5*0101, DRB1*1501, DRB1*0901, and DRB1*1302 allelic products, characterized by overlapping peptide-binding repertoires. These results have implications for understanding the molecular interactions involved in peptide-DR binding, as well as the genetic and structural basis of MHC polymorphism. These results also have potential practical implications for the development of epitope-based prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

Enzymatic synthesis of a neoglycoconjugate by transglycosylation with Arthrobacter endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase: a substrate for colorimetric detection of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity.

The transglycosylation activity of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Arthrobacter protophormiae was used for the enzymatic synthesis of a novel oligosaccharide, Man6GlcNAc-p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucose (Man6GlcNAc-Glc-pNP). The reaction was efficiently induced in aqueous solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide. In the medium containing 20% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide with 0.1 M Glc-pNP as an acceptor, the transglycosylation attained yields of 75% by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. The structure of Man6GlcNAc-Glc-pNP was confirmed by ion mass spectrometry and 400 MHz 1H NMR spectrometry. Various endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases hydrolyzed this oligosaccharide and Man6GlcNAc and Glc-pNP were released from the oligosaccharide by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase digestion. We have established a new procedure for the colorimetric detection of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity using Man6Glc-NAc-Glc-pNP, which is simple as that for other exoglycosidase assays with pNP-glycosides as substrates.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1998

Adenocarcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst: report of a case.

We report herein the unusual case of a 66-year-old woman found to have adenocarcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst. The patient had been observed for 6 months following the discovery of a presacral cystic mass measuring 10 x 9 cm for which she had refused surgery. The serum tumor marker, carcinoembryonic antigen, became slightly elevated, and diagnostic imaging distinctly revealed a tumorous lesion with papillary projection into the cyst lumen. The cystic mass was then excised through the transsacral approach. The pathological findings were compatible with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst. This entity is extremely rare, and only six cases, including our own, have been reported in the English literature. Early complete excision is advised because it is almost impossible to determine for certain whether presacral cystic masses are benign or malignant prior to surgery.

Adenocarcinoma↗