Biomedical subjects

H Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to H Kondo.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery.

We report a case of gastroduodenal arterial aneurysm incidentally discovered by abdominal ultrasonogram, in which three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) was useful for diagnosis. An 85-year-old man was hospitalized because of fever and liver dysfunction. Carcinoma of the papilla of Vater was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography, while abdominal ultrasonogram and CT scan revealed a round mass measuring 6.2x4.1 cm on the ventral side of the pancreatic head. Three-dimensional CT demonstrated that the mass arose from a branch of the common hepatic artery and projected downward, indicating a gastroduodenal arterial aneurysm. During pancreatoduodenectomy and aneurysmectomy, it was confirmed that this aneurysm arose from the gastroduodenal artery.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Nondiseased portal perfusion defects adjacent to the right ribs shown on helical CT during arterial portography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the frequency and imaging characteristics of nonpathologic portal perfusion defects in subcapsular liver parenchyma adjacent to the right ribs as seen on CT hepatic arteriography combined with helical CT during arterial portography (CTAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to June 1997, helical CTAP and CT hepatic arteriography were performed in 94 patients with suspected malignant hepatic tumors. The patient group comprised 66 men and 28 women ranging from 37 to 83 years old (mean, 64 years old). Three radiologists retrospectively reviewed the images obtained by CTAP to evaluate portal perfusion defects adjacent to the right ribs for location, shape, size, and correlation with findings seen on CT hepatic arteriography. RESULTS: We identified 16 nonpathologic portal perfusion defects adjacent to the right eighth (n = 1), ninth (n = 12), and tenth (n = 3) ribs in 12 (13%) of 94 patients. The shapes of the 16 defects were circular (n = 1), oval (n = 7), wedge (n = 3), and irregular (n = 5). The defects were 10-30 mm in diameter (mean, 16.9 mm). In four (25%) of 16 locations, CT hepatic arteriography showed poorly identified, homogeneous, irregularly shaped areas of contrast enhancement corresponding to the defects seen on CTAP. The portal perfusion defects were proven to be nonpathologic on definitive surgery in four patients and on follow-up radiography in eight patients. CONCLUSION: Helical CTAP may show nonpathologic portal perfusion defects adjacent to the right ribs. Most defects did not appear circular but rather were oval, irregular, or wedge-shaped. CT hepatic arteriography infrequently showed corresponding findings. Radiologists should recognize this potential pitfall when interpreting images obtained by helical CTAP.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

BE-31405, a new antifungal antibiotic produced by Penicillium minioluteum. I. Description of producing organism, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical and biological properties.

A new antifungal antibiotic, BE-31405, was isolated from the culture broth of a fungal strain, Penicillium minioluteum F31405. BE-31405 was isolated by adsorption on high porous polymer resin (Diaion HP-20), followed by solvent extraction, precipitation and crystallization. BE-31405 showed potent growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic fungal strains such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans, but did not show cytotoxic activity against mammalian cells such as P388 mouse leukemia. The mechanism studies indicated that BE-31405 inhibited the protein synthesis of C. albicans but not of mammalian cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

A new antitumor antibiotic, BE-19412A, produced by a streptomycete.

A new antitumor substance, designated BE-19412A, was isolated from the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. A19412. The active principle was extracted from the mycelium by methanol and purified by Silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies. BE-19412B was prepared by methylation of BE-19412A. BE-19412A and B exhibited cytotoxic activity against murine and human tumor cell lines. BE-19412A prolonged the survival of CDF1 mice bearing i.p. implanted Ehrlich carcinoma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Lobe-specific intercostal strategy in video-assisted lobectomy.

When performing video-assisted lobectomy for lung diseases, the incisional strategy for the minithoracotomy and two trocar ports is crucial for successful completion of the procedure. Our strategy is primarily determined according to three principles: The hilar bronchovascular structures should be easily accessible; the minithoracotomy should be readily convertible to a standard open thoracotomy; and the wounds should create only limited damage. To enable a quick conversion, the minithoracotomy incision must be placed on the scheduled posterolateral thoracotomy line regardless of its location. The entire procedure is best managed when the minithoracotomy is placed anteriorly on the inframammary line in the fourth intercostal space for upper and middle lobectomies and posteriorly over the auscultation triangle in the fifth intercostal space for lower lobectomies. Two trocars are used for thoracoscopy and retraction. The sequence of each operative step should be determined by the lobe to be resected. This lobe-specific incisional and operative strategy based on anatomical considerations not only facilitates the safe dissection of the hilum but also enables a rapid conversion to a standard posterolateral thoracotomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Contrast enhancement using the triggered imaging].

Triggered imaging has been introduced as a practical method to improve contrast echo enhancement by T.R. Porter, Nebraska, U.S.A. in 1995. It requires a simple instrumentation, ECG or internal timer, for intermittent ultrasound imaging that reduces contrast attenuation due to ultrasound exposure. Currently, a clear myocardial contrast echo done by intravenous injection of contrast agent has become a common result when the latest generation agents, machines and the new methods are available. Contrast echocardiography is expected to be able to evaluate myocardial perfusion for future direction.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Clinical evaluation of cholesterol embolization syndrome after cardiac catheterization].

The clinical features and outcomes of patients with cholesterol embolization syndrome after cardiac catheterization were evaluated. Among 4,920 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization during 1991 to 1996, the symptoms, signs, laboratory data, treatment and prognosis of eight (6 males and 2 females, mean age 69 years old) were reviewed who were pathologically or clinically diagnosed as having cholesterol embolization syndrome. All patients had more than two coronary risk factors. Mobile plaque of the aortic arch was detected in all five patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography. All patients had one or more precipitating factors, including coronary angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, cardiovascular surgery and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The first symptom was renal dysfunction in four patients, skin findings of purple toes in two, muscle pain in one and new onset of refractory hypertension in one. The time after the precipitating factor to the onset of symptoms was 32 +/- 9 days on average. Eosinophilia was found in all patients and six patients revealed eosinophilia before the onset of symptoms. Four patients showed skin findings of purple toes which progressed in three of the four patients even after anticoagulant therapy was discontinued. Epidural anesthesia was markedly effective for skin findings of purple toes in two of the three patients. Diagnosis of cholesterol embolization syndrome is difficult because patients show various symptoms and there is an interval between the precipitating factor and the onset of symptoms. However, the conditions of the patients deteriorate rapidly and the prognosis is generally poor without supportive therapy in the early stage. Our study demonstrated that eosinophilia might be an important clue to early detection of cholesterol embolization syndrome. Furthermore, epidural anesthesia is effective for skin findings of purple toes in patients with cholesterol embolization syndrome. In conclusion, cholesterol embolization syndrome should be detected in the early stage based on eosinophilia or clinical symptoms after cardiac catheterization, and supportive therapy started as soon as possible, including discontinuance of anticoagulant therapy, hemodialysis for renal dysfunction and epidural anesthesia for skin findings of purple toes.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

[Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in an elderly patient manifesting as refractory congestive heart failure of acute onset: a case report].

An 84-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of left heart failure of acute onset. Transthoracic echocardiography showed diffuse hypertrophy of the normal sized hyperkinetic left ventricle and chordae-like fluttering echoes attached to the mitral valve with severe mitral regurgitation signals. Mosaic flow signals were seen at the left ventricular outflow tract, but the velocity could not be measured. Emergent transesophageal echocardiography detected no obvious mitral valve prolapse. Cardiac catheterization showed greater than 100 mmHg pressure gradient between the left ventricle and femoral artery. Pressures in the femoral artery and pulmonary capillary wedge changed reciprocally in the intensive care unit; a bisferient narrow pulse pressure of the femoral artery was associated with increased v wave of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and a wide pulse pressure of the femoral artery with absent v wave of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Pressure monitoring in the intensive care unit, catheterization laboratory and transesophageal echocardiography were useful to understand the pathophysiology of the patient.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Biological markers as a predictor for response and prognosis of unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and cis-platinum.

We investigated the utility of examining biological markers to predict chemoresponse and survival. The subjects consisted of 39 unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with a combination of 5-fluorouracil and cis-platinum. The expression of p53, bcl-2, thymidylate synthase (TS), glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the formalin-fixed biopsy samples of primary tumors before chemotherapy was examined immunohistochemically. The positive rate for VEGF, bcl-2, TS, p53, and GST-pi was 51, 10, 46, 38, and 69%, respectively. VEGF-positive cases showed a higher response rate than did negative cases (11 of 20 versus 2 of 19 cases; P = 0.0057). The cases that were negative for p53, TS, bcl-2, and GST-pi were more likely to respond to chemotherapy than the cases that were positive for these markers. The 10 cases having 4 or 5 favorable phenotypes (VEGF positive, p53 negative, bcl-2 negative, TS negative, and GST-pi negative) survived longer than the remaining 29 cases (P = 0.0069). Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of favorable phenotypes (> or = 4 versus < or = 3) had a greater impact on survival than performance status (0 versus 1 or 2), age (> 60 years versus < or = 60 years), macroscopic type (scirrhous versus nonscirrhous), histological type (intestinal versus diffuse), or tumor extent (locally advanced versus metastatic). Immunohistochemical examination of biological markers in biopsy samples may be useful in predicting the clinical outcome of unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and cis-platinum.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Surgical treatment for metastatic lung tumors].

Surgical treatment for metastatic lung tumors has been reported to be efficacious in selected patients by many authors. Most of these reports are retrospective studies. In our hospital, metastatic lung tumors were resected in 624 patients, and the 5- and 10-year survival rates after pulmonary metastatectomy were 38.3% and 26.6%, respectively. There are many long-time survivors without recurrence after thoracotomy. However, pulmonary metastatectomy seems to offer no survival benefit in some cancers, e.g., gastric cancer, even if the patients satisfy the criteria for surgery. Prospective studies for each type of primary cancer are needed to determine the true efficacy of pulmonary metastatectomy.

Humans↗

PubMed1998

Synthetic meshwork implant for glaucoma filtering surgery: effect of adjunct heparin and sodium hyaluronate in rabbits.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel filtering implant, a synthetic meshwork (MESH), with or without heparin or sodium hyaluronate amendment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen eyes of 18 rabbits received MESH surgery. The eyes were divided into three subgroups. Six eyes received the MESH implant with no modification (group 1), 6 eyes received MESH saturated with heparin (group 2), and 6 eyes received MESH with sodium hyaluronate administration into the anterior chamber during surgery (group 3). Intraocular pressure (IOP) and outflow facility were measured during a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The MESH-implanted eyes showed lower IOP and higher outflow facility than control eyes up to postoperative days 119 and 49, respectively (P > .05). Earliest functional failure was seen in group 3 and latest in group 2. CONCLUSION: MESH implant surgery showed a long-term efficacy in reducing IOP. The beneficial effects of added heparin were limited. Sodium hyaluronate administration reduced the efficacy of the implant device.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Type A acute aortic dissection: late reoperations for dilatation of the distal false lumen and aortic regurgitation].

From January 1990 to December 1996, 71 patients aged 33 to 79 years (mean 60 +/- 11) underwent an emergency operation for type A acute aortic dissection. Fifty-three (74.6%) survived, and were followed 7 to 94 months (mean follow up 2.9 +/- 1.8 years) after the first operation. Five patients underwent reoperation for dilatation of the distal false lumen 7 to 52 months (mean period, 25 months) after primary repair. One patient underwent replacement of the arch and descending aorta, three patients underwent replacement of the descending aorta, and one patient underwent the stented graft implantation, resulting in closure of the entry site. Three patients underwent reoperation for severe aortic valve regurgitation 12 to 31 months (mean period, 24 months) after primary repair. Two patients underwent aortic valve replacement, and one patient underwent aortic root replacement. The actuarial freedom from reoperations was 81 +/- 6.9% at 3 years, and 73 +/- 9.9% at 5 years.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[The prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer--adhesion molecule CD44].

The prognosis for pancreatic cancer is extremely poor, because there are usually invasion of surrounding tissues and metastases to lymph nodes, liver or peritoneum at the time of diagnosis. Many studies from the molecular-biological stand point have demonstrated this poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying these invasive and metastatic capabilities have not yet been clarified. We reviewed several reports for prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer in molecular-biological examinations, and introduced our recent study on the adhesion molecule CD44. The CD44 variant 6 (v6) molecule has been noted as a marker for tumor metastasis and prognosis in several tumors. We examined whether or not v6 is a useful marker for evaluating the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. In addition, we attempted to assess the clinicopathological implications for pancreatic cancer of the variant 2 (v2) isoform using a recently developed monoclonal antibody against a v2 epitope. The expression of CD44 v6 and v2 was observed only in tumor cells, if at all. The expression of CD44 v6 and v2 was correlated with decreased overall survival. A significant correlation was obtained between CD44 v2 and vessel invasion. These results suggest that CD44 v2 and CD44 v6 may be useful markers of a poor prognosis.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

PubMed1998

[Miliary tuberculosis associated with subcutaneous tuberculous abscess].

A 62-year-old woman was admitted because of a tumor on her right thigh, fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, and diffuse nodular shadows on chest X-ray films. She was given a diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis based on the findings of a cervical lymph-node biopsy and a broncho-alveolar lavage. Acute respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation developed, but resolved after the start of anti-tuberculous therapy. The tumor on the right thigh was diagnosed as a subcutaneous tuberculous abscess because tuberculous bacilli were detected in tumor tissue samples obtained by aspiration. The patient's fever disappeared and the abnormal shadows on her chest X-ray films receded significantly after drainage of the subcutaneous abscess. These findings suggested that miliary tuberculosis was associated with the subcutaneous tuberculous abscess in this case.

Abscess↗

PubMed1997

Molecular cloning and developmental expression of a rat homologue of death-associated protein kinase in the nervous system.

Death-associated protein kinase (DAP kinase) has been recently identified as a novel Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and as a potential mediator of gamma interferon-induced cell death of Hela cells, which has cytological characteristics of the programmed cell death. In order to elucidate its functional roles in the rat brain where the programmed cell death is an essential mechanism in the organization of postmitotic neurons during development, we cloned a rat homologue of the human DAP kinase from the rat embryonic brain cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly conserved between the two species (93.6%). By in situ hybridization histochemistry, the expression of DAP kinase mRNA was observed in the mantle and ventricular zones of the entire neuraxis on embryonic day 15. However, the overall expression in the brain decreased markedly after birth and the expression was maintained at substantial levels in several restricted mature neuronal populations, such as olfactory bulb, hippocampal formation and cerebellar Purkinje and granule cells. Its wide expression during development and its maintained expression in the restricted mature neuronal population suggest that DAP kinase might be involved in some neuronal functions beyond simply executing the developmental neuronal cell death.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

Stimulation of NGF production by tryptophan and its metabolites in cultured mouse astroglial cells.

Effects of various amino acids and tryptophan metabolites on the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) in cultured mouse astroglial cells were evaluated. L-Tryptophan stimulated NGF production in a dose-dependent manner. Serotonin and quinolinic acid slightly increased NGF synthesis. L-Kynurenine had a marked stimulatory effect on NGF production at a dose of 10 microM. In contrast, kynurenic acid had no effect on the reaction. L-Glutamine, L-glutamic acid, L-phenylalanine and L-methionine produced no significant change in NGF synthesis. These results were discussed in relation to the treatment of Alzheimer's diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Studies on selection blockers. 5. Design, synthesis, and biological profile of sialyl Lewis x mimetics based on modified serine-glutamic acid dipeptides.

We have rationally designed a sLe(x) mimetic based on molecular modeling, synthesized type II and type II' beta-turn dipeptides (3a,b), and evaluated their biological profiles both in vitro and in vivo. Against E-selectin-sLe(x) binding, the type II beta-turn dipeptide L-Ser-D-Glu 3a (IC50, 13 microM) and the type II' beta-turn dipeptide D-Ser-L-Glu 3b (IC50, 5.5 microM) were 20-100-fold more potent blockers than sLe(x) (1; IC50, 600 microM) and a 3'-sulfated Le(x) analog (2; IC50, 280 microM). On the other hand, other stereoisomers, such as L-Ser-L-Glu 3c and D-Ser-D-Glu 3d, were very weak blockers, with IC50 > 1000 microM for both 3c,d. Against the P- and L-selectins, despite much different stereochemistry of compounds 3a-d, the dipeptides 3a-d were all more potent blockers than either sLe(x) or compound 2. Interestingly, compound 3b provided significant in vivo efficacy against an immunoglobulin E-mediated skin reaction in a mouse model. These findings indicate that sLe(x) mimetics with type II and type II' beta-turn dipeptides could be useful in the design of an active selectin blocker in vitro and/or in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Peroxynitrite-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes and its inhibition by antioxidants.

It was found that human erythrocytes underwent hemolysis when incubated with peroxynitrite at 37 degrees C under air. The extent of hemolysis increased with increasing peroxynitrite concentration and decreasing hematocrit. The peroxynitrite-induced hemolysis was suppressed only partially by a radical scavenging antioxidant such as uric acid and Trolox, a water-soluble vitamin E analogue, but reduced glutathione, N-acetylcysteine and albumin efficiently inhibited the hemolysis. A selenium-containing organic compound, ebselen, also suppressed the hemolysis. On the other hand, nitric oxide and superoxide generated concomitantly from 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) did not induce appreciable hemolysis, while it converted hemoglobin to methemoglobin extensively.

Acetylcysteine↗