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Biomedical subjects

A Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to A Kondo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effects of ligation of the internal iliac artery on blood flow to the bladder and detrusor function in rat.

Ischaemia induced by atherosclerosis is a common cause of disorders in the elderly, including impairment of bladder function. To evaluate experimentally the effects of ischaemia on detrusor function, we performed infusion cystometry and evaluated the morphologic findings in the bladder of the rat. Blood flow to the bladder of the rat was evaluated with a Doppler flowmeter before and after the unilateral or bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries. Reevaluation was done at one and two weeks after surgery. Bladder function was studied by infusion cystometry performed in vivo under urethane anaesthesia. Finally, histological examination was performed. Blood flow at mid-dorsal wall of the control bladder was inversely related to intravesical volume. Unilateral or bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries decreased blood flow to the bladder, which showed a complete recovery two weeks postoperatively. Infusion cystometry of the ischaemic bladder with bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries demonstrated a decrease in voiding pressure, an increase in bladder capacity, and an increase in pressure at which micturition was initiated vs. the control. The bladder with unilateral ligation of the artery showed a decrease in voiding pressure, with no change in the other parameters. Histological examination indicated that the bilateral ischaemia and ischaemic side of unilateral ischaemia led to a degeneration of the mucosa, and severe oedema in submucosal and muscle layers one week postoperatively. Degeneration of smooth muscle was predominant at 2 weeks. Contralateral side of the unilaterally ischaemic bladder showed oedema and congestion of the submucosa and smooth muscle. Ligation of the internal iliac artery decreased blood flow to the bladder significantly, which resulted in smooth muscle degeneration. Consequently, in vivo voiding pressure was impaired in the ischaemic bladder.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effects of verapamil on bladder instability induced by partial outflow obstruction in rat.

BACKGROUND: Overactivity of the detrusor due to benign prostatic hyperplasia may be induced by hyperpermeability of the smooth muscle cell membrane to calcium. We investigated the effect of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on detrusor function in outflow obstructed and control rat bladders. METHODS: Verapamil was injected intravenously via a catheter inserted into the internal jugular vein in doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 10.0 mg/kg in rat bladders with and without partial outflow obstruction under urethane anaesthesia. The intravesical pressure was monitored continuously. We measured the tidal voided urine volume, the voiding pressure, the pressure at which micturition was induced, and the end-point pressure of micturition. RESULTS: The tidal voided urine volume was significantly decreased in the obstructed bladders before administration of verapamil. Verapamil had similar effects in cystometric parameters in obstructed and control bladders. Verapamil increased the tidal voided urine volume, the pressure at which micturition was induced, and the end-point pressure of micturition, and reduced the voiding in obstructed and control bladders. Verapamil at doses of 4.0 mg/kg or higher induced significant arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS: Verapamil reduced the contractile force of the bladder and increased the capacity and residual urine volume in both normal and obstructed bladders. Thus, although calcium channel blockers such as verapamil may be effective in treating a hyperactive bladder, they may have adverse cardiovascular effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Does potassium induce the release of nitric oxide in the rabbit corpus cavernosum?

We investigated the effects of increases in the extracellular potassium concentration on the function of the rabbit corpus cavernosum. The resting tissue tension increased as the potassium concentration was increased from 4.7 mM to 20 mM or 30 mM. The maximum contraction induced by 200 microM phenylephrine was significantly decreased in the presence of 30 mM potassium compared with 4.7 mM potassium. After precontraction was induced with 200 microM phenylephrine, the magnitude of field-stimulated relaxation increased significantly as the potassium concentration was increased from 4.7 mM to 10 or 20 mM, but was almost completely abolished at 30 mM potassium. There was no difference in the suppressive effect of L-NAME on field-stimulated relaxation between specimens treated with 4.7 mM or 20 mM potassium. ATP- and bethanechol-induced relaxation was not affected by increases in the extracellular potassium concentration. A high-dose potassium solution (124 mM) induced contraction of the corpus cavernosum. In tissue precontracted with phenylephrine, a high-dose potassium solution that contained phenylephrine induced relaxation of corpus cavernosum; this relaxation was completely suppressed by L-NAME. These findings suggest that small increases in the extracellular potassium concentration increase field-stimulated relaxation of the corpus cavernosum and that this relaxation is not related to the effects of nitric oxide. Relaxation induced by high-dose potassium in tissue precontracted with phenylephrine is probably the result of release of nitric oxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Intranuclear iron deposition in hepatocytes and renal tubular cells in mice treated with ferric nitrilotriacetate.

Cytoplasmic and intranuclear iron depositions were observed in the livers and kidneys of male and female ddY mice treated for 4-12 weeks with ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), a known renal carcinogen that acts through the production of free radicals. The intranuclear iron deposition consisted of a spherical aggregation of ferritin particles of approximately 10 nm diameter, as revealed by immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy. Although the incidence of renal tumours was greater in the males than in the females, the incidence of iron depositions did not differ with gender. The most abundant intranuclear iron depositions were observed in the animals treated with Fe-NTA for the longest duration (12 weeks). These findings suggest that the intranuclear production and propagation of free radical reactions are prevented by the trapping of iron in a chemically inert iron form of ferritin.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The Stamey and Gittes procedures: long-term followup in relation to incontinence types and patient age.

PURPOSE: We report the long-term results of needle suspension of the bladder neck for stress incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 382 patients with stress incontinence underwent either the Stamey (group 1, 342 women) or Gittes procedure (group 2, 40) in a nonrandomized trial. Surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed by questionnaires. Surgical outcomes were then analyzed in relation to surgical procedures, McGuire incontinence types and patient age. Followup averaged 8.1 years for group 1 and 5.0 years for group 2. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier cumulative continence rates were 71.5% for the Stamey at 14 years and 37.0% for the Gittes at 6 years postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Patients with type III incontinence attained a 10-year cumulative continence rate of 38.3%, which was significantly inferior to those with type I (76.4% at 11 years) or II (73.9% at 13 years). Older patients had an 11-year cumulative continence rate of 61.4%, which was not statistically different from the younger women (68.9% at 14 years). Of the patients 79% were extremely satisfied or satisfied with surgical results, and urge incontinence developed de novo in 12% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Stamey is superior to the Gittes operation, needle bladder neck suspension is as effective in older as in younger adults and women with type III incontinence should not undergo either operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Morphology of intraepithelial corpuscular nerve endings in the nasal respiratory mucosa of the dog.

Corpuscular nerve endings in the nasal respiratory mucosa of the dog were investigated by immunohistochemical staining specific for protein gene product 9.5 by light and electron microscopy. In the nasal respiratory mucosa, complex corpuscular endings, which displayed bulbous, laminar and varicose expansions, were distributed on the dorsal elevated part of the nasal septum and on the dorsal nasal concha. The endings were 300-500 microm long and 100-250 microm wide. Some axons gave rise to a single ending while others branched into 2 endings. Cryostat sections revealed that the corpuscular endings were located within the nasal respiratory epithelium. On electron microscopy, immunoreactive nerve terminals that contained organelles, including mitochondria and neurofilaments, were observed within the epithelial layer near the lumen of the nasal cavity. Some terminals contacted the goblet cell. Such terminal regions were covered by the cytoplasmic process of ciliated cells and were never exposed to the lumen of the nasal cavity. These nerve endings are probably activated by pressure changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Single-step purification and characterization of MBP (maltose binding protein)-DnaJ fusion protein and its utilization for structure-function analysis.

DnaJ is a molecular chaperone, which contains a zinc finger-like motif and cooperates with DnaK to mediate the folding of newly synthesized and denatured proteins. DnaJ was overproduced and purified using the maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion vector. The fusion protein (MBP-DnaJ) was expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity using amylose resin in a single step. The UV-visible absorption spectrum of MBP-DnaJ showed peaks at 355 and 475 nm. Moreover, these absorption peaks disappeared upon treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonic acid (PMPS). Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry demonstrated that MBP-DnaJ contains Fe ions as well as Zn ions. MBP-DnaJ mediated the replication of the lambda phage in vivo, stimulated the ATPase activity of DnaK and prevented the aggregation of denatured rhodanase, indicating that fusion of MBP to the N-terminal of DnaJ does not affect the functions of DnaJ. To study the roles of bound metal ions, metal-free MBP-DnaJ, and MBP-DnaJ containing 2 Zn ions were prepared. MBP-DnaJ containing Fe and Zn ions, and MBP-DnaJ containing 2 Zn ions stimulated the ATPase activity of DnaK, prevented the aggregation of denatured rhodanase and bound to DNA to similar extents. On the other hand, metal-free MBP-DnaJ showed much lower DNA-binding ability and lower ability to prevent rhodanese aggregation. Therefore, the bound metal species do not affect the function of the zinc finger-like motif of DnaJ, whereas removal of the metal ions from DnaJ diminishes its binding ability as to DNA and denatured proteins.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1998

Combined hyperactive dysfunction syndrome of the cranial nerves: trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia: 11-year experience and review.

OBJECTIVE: A pathological condition caused by vascular compression at the root entry/exit zone of the cranial nerves is designated hyperactive dysfunction syndrome (HDS) of the cranial nerves. Patients with HDS who exhibited a combination of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and/or glossopharyngeal neuralgia were retrospectively reviewed, to study the incidence, etiological factors, and demographic characteristics for this combined HDS group. METHODS: Medical and surgical records were analyzed for 41 patients with combined HDS, of 1472 consecutive patients with HDS who were treated between 1984 and 1994. RESULTS: The combined HDS group accounted for 2.8% of all patients with HDS; 19 patients (1.3%) exhibited bilateral symptoms, i.e., 14 cases of TN, 3 of combined TN and HFS, and 2 of HFS. Twenty-two patients (1.5%) exhibited ipsilateral symptoms, i.e., 19 cases of TN and HFS and 3 of TN and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Excluding three patients whose symptoms were associated with brain tumors or arteriovenous malformations, this patient group was older (63.2 versus 55.3 yr, P = 0.0009) and exhibited an increased percentage of associated hypertension (47.4 versus 17.5%, P = 0.000008), with a female predominance (86.8 versus 71.3%, P = 0.07), compared with the single HDS group. Thirty-six of these patients underwent a total of 61 microvascular decompression procedures, with favorable outcomes. The offending vessels were similar to those in single HDS, which were usually conventional and multiple. CONCLUSION: The associated etiological factors for vascular compression syndromes were more evident in the combined HDS group than in the single HDS group. Progressive arteriosclerotic vasculoarchitectural changes of the vertebrobasilar system, accelerated by aging and hypertension, bring about the development of combined HDS, with a remarkable female predominance.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Apo A-I and apo E concentrations in cerebrospinal fluids of patients with acute meningitis.

It has been demonstrated that apolipoproteins found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) play an important role in lipid metabolism in the central nervous system (CNS). Previously we reported that CSF apo A-I levels increased with the severity of neurological damage in poliovirus-infected macaques. In the present study, apo A-I was quantitatively analysed in CSF from patients with or without neurological diseases. In controls, CSF apo A-I level was significantly higher in males; 3.83 (0.40) mg/L, mean (SEM) (n = 19) compared with females, 2.42 (0.26) mg/L (n = 23, P < 0.05). CSF apo A-I concentrations in patients with acute meningitis increased at the active stage, 7.74 (1.78) mg/L (n = 10), but returned to basal concentrations at the convalescent stage 2.72 (0.38) mg/L (n = 10), while the CSF apo A-I level in patients with other neurological diseases remained in the same range as in controls. By contrast, CSF apo E was consistently elevated at either stage of acute meningitis. Furthermore, it was found that the levels of CSF apo A-I, but not of apo E, correlated positively with CSF albumin concentrations. These findings suggest that the CSF apo A-I and apo E have different origins and may play different roles in the lipoprotein metabolism in CNS.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Detection of antitumor promoting activity in Raji cells carrying Epstein-Barr virus genome by immunoblotting analysis.

Extract of Raji cells treated with sodium n-butyrate (1 mM) and a tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 40 ng/ml), was analyzed by immunoblotting using ten human sera with different antibody titers against Epstein-Barr virus early antigens. Two human sera reacted with one induced polypeptide of 48 kDa and its induction was inhibited by curcumin (4 micrograms/ml), an antitumor promoter from turmeric. A mouse antiserum against P3HR-1 cells treated with TPA and sodium n-butyrate also detected the 48-kDa polypeptide in Raji cells treated with TPA at concentrations of 2.5 to 80 ng/ml. These results indicate that the immunoblotting analysis can be used in a confirmation test for detection of antitumor promoting activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Production of WTC.ZI-zi rat congenic strain and its pathological and genetic analyses.

A new rat congenic strain, WTC.ZI-zi, was produced after eleven generations of backcrossing between ZI strain as a donor strain and WTC strain as an inbred partner. WTC.ZI-zi/zi homozygous rats generally exhibit more conspicuous body tremor and much earlier occurrence of flaccid paresis than the original ZI strain. The average life span of the congenic strain is approximately nine months, which is also much shorter than that of the original ZI strain. Pathological analysis of the central nervous system of the congenic strain revealed more aggravated vacuolation and hypomyelination than in the original ZI strain. Establishment of the genetic profile with microsatellite markers showed that the congenic strain was genetically almost identical to the WTC strain except for a small chromosome segment bearing the zitter gene. Analysis of markers in this region implied that the length of the donor segment was approximately 13.4 centimorgans which corresponded to 0.65% of the total genome. Thus, these results suggested that expressional alterations of zitter gene were due to replacement of the genetic background from the original ZI strain to the WTC strain. Furthermore, the WTC.ZI-zi congenic strain could provide a refined tool for the analysis of zitter mutation, because the congenic strain has a strict control strain, WTC, and the length of the donor chromosome is genetically defined.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Contralateral deafness following unilateral suboccipital brain tumor surgery in a patient with large vestibular aqueduct--case report.

A 68-year-old female developed contralateral deafness following extirpation of a left cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst. Computed tomography showed that large vestibular aqueduct was present. This unusual complication may have been caused by an abrupt pressure change after cerebrospinal fluid release, which was transmitted through the large vestibular aqueduct and resulted in cochlear damage.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Follow-up results of using microvascular decompression for treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

UNLABELLED: Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is an uncommon disorder that is characterized by a severe lancinating pain commonly induced by swallowing. There has been some debate among various authors as to which surgical procedure should be adopted to treat cases of GPN: microvascular decompression (MVD) or partial rhizotomy. The latter necessitates the partial destruction of normal neural structures. OBJECT: The purpose of this paper is to present follow-up results in patients with GPN who underwent MVD. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1995, 20 patients underwent MVD for GPN. Results were studied to verify the effectiveness of MVD performed in 16 patients before 1991 who participated in follow-up evaluation for more than 5 years postoperatively. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 16 years (mean +/- standard deviation 11.6 +/- 2.8 years). The method adopted for MVD was to reposition the offending vessel, such as a troublesome vertebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery that is commonly ectatic and arteriosclerotic, by lifting the loop of the artery and using glue to affix it to the nearby dura mater of the petrous bone. CONCLUSIONS: Pain was relieved in all cases. Two patients complained of persistent mild hoarseness, causing the inability to speak loudly, and two patients complained of occasional coughing episodes that occurred for a couple of years after the surgery. No other complications were reported and no recurrence of pain was noted during the follow-up period. This procedure provided satisfactory results by preserving important perforating arteries in this area and by repositioning offending arteries in a safer and surer fashion, thus reducing complications and recurrence of GPN.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Chordoid meningioma in a child. Case report.

A case of chordoid meningioma occurring in a 15-year-old girl is presented. The patient manifested seizures as the initial symptom and subsequently exhibited subclinical microcytic hypochromic anemia. The tumor, located in the falcotentorial region and associated with diffuse edema, was totally resected. On histological examination of the surgical specimen, the clustering pattern of partly vacuolated cells in the mucoid stroma mimicked chordoma; however, positive staining of individual cells for vimentin and epithelial membrane antigen led to a diagnosis of meningioma. Interestingly, the tumor cells were surrounded by a periodic acid-Schiff- and type IV collagen-positive substance. Electron microscopy demonstrated a strikingly dense and thick basal lamina. The patient's microcytic hypochromic anemia disappeared after the tumor was removed. Both the clinical and pathological features of this case resemble those of chordoid meningioma, a rare meningioma variant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Neuroradiological characteristics of ecchordosis physaliphora. Case report and review of the literature.

An extremely rare case of ecchordosis physaliphora is presented in which the authors focus especially on its radiological characteristics. The patient complained of a headache with no other neurological abnormalities. A thorough radiological examination revealed a small intradural prepontine mass with no bone destruction of the clivus. Magnetic resonance imaging was very useful in visualizing this mass as a low signal intensity lesion on T1-weighted images and as a high signal intensity lesion on T2-weighted images without any contrast enhancing effects. At surgery, a cystic gelatinous nodule was found ventral to the pons; the nodule was connected to the dorsal wall of the clivus via a delicate stalk. Histological studies proved that this was an ecchordosis physaliphora. Review of the literature demonstrates that the reported cases of ecchordoses have many common radiological features that would suggest the diagnosis of this rare disease.

Brain↗
PubMed1998

A progressive postoperative increase in the serum level of soluble receptors for interleukin-2 is an indicator of a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Activated T lymphocytes release a soluble form of IL-2R (SoIL-2R) into the bloodstream, which can be detected by CD25 monoclonal antibody. Perioperative changes of serum levels of SoIL-2R and the number of CD25-positive cells were monitored simultaneously to clarify the clinical implications of SoIL-2R in patients with gastric cancer (n=91). Preoperative levels of SoIL-2R were significantly higher than in normal controls and levels were a useful indicator of possible lymph node involvement. Postoperative levels of SoIL-2R increased independently of the number of CD25-positive cells. Patients with progressive postoperative increases in levels of SoIL-2R had both a significantly high frequency of postoperative relapse and a poor prognosis. Increased SoIL-2R may reduce the availability of IL-2 by binding to it. Postoperative progressive increases in SoIL-2R appear to be a good indicator for a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Vesicoureteral reflux and urinary incontinence in myelodysplastic patients: a comparison between those who had anti-reflux surgery alone and those who were treated by anti-reflux surgery combined with bladder augmentation with or without sling operation].

BACKGROUND: Vesicoureteral reflux and urinary incontinence are frequently observed among myelodysplastic patients. Since the conservative therapy is not always effective to improve these pathologies, surgical intervention is necessary for some of the patients. METHODS: Thirty-eight myelodysplastic patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A comprised 17 patients who had been operated by anti-reflux surgery (crossover method) alone and Group B 21 patients who had undergone anti-reflux surgery (Orikasa's method) and augmentation enterocystoplasty with or without sling operation. Cessation rate of reflux, bladder capacity, bladder compliance and operative complications were analyzed in the 2 groups. A questionnaire was sent to the patient asking to answer frequency of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), severity of urinary incontinence, satisfaction rate for operation and so on. Mean followed-up periods were 11.7 (5.3-13.6) years for Group A and 3.7 (0.6-6.9) years for Group B, respectively. RESULTS: Reflux was successfully eradicated in 19 of 24 ureters (79%) of Group A and in 25 of 29 ureters (86%) of Group B, which was not significantly different. In Group A, bladder capacity and compliance slightly improved. The latter, however, remained less than 10 ml/cmH2 O. Bladder capacity and compliance of Group B increased more than twice the original value with statistical significance. Operative complication in Group A was ureteral obstruction in 1 patient, which eventually necessitated peritoneal dialysis. In Group B revision of ventriculoperitoneal shunt was necessary in 4 patients, incomplete ileus was conservatively treated in 3, and a bladder stone was formed in 1. The patients assessed that frequency of pyelonephritis was less in Group B compared to Group A. Other subjective parameters, however, such as frequency of CIC, severity of urinary incontinence, postoperative changes in the amount of urinary incontinence, and satisfaction rate for operation, were not different between the 2 groups. COMMENTS: Though operation-related complications occurred more frequently in those of Group B, these patients enjoyed significant improvement in bladder capacity and bladder compliance. We conclude when the conservative therapy fails to cure and improve vesicoureteral reflux and urinary incontinence, surgical interventions including anti-reflux surgery and augmentation cystoplasty with or without sling operation are recommended as a treatment option.

Adolescent↗