Biomedical subjects

H Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to H Kondo.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Expression of the chemokine superfamily in rheumatoid arthritis.

The infiltration of leucocytes into the joint of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is believed to be mediated by chemotactic factors released by activated cells. In this study, examination was made of the gene expression and production of the chemokine superfamily in RA patients by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoprecipitation. Cultured synovial fibroblasts were found capable of expressing and producing IL-8, GRO, monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), MIP-1 beta and RANTES in response to IL-1 alpha. The expression of IL-8, GRO, MCAF, MIP-1 alpha, and MIP-1 beta was clearly shown to increase in freshly isolated synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) of RA patients, in contrast to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of RA patients and normal subjects. The gene expression of RANTES appeared to be the same for RA SFMC, RA PBMC, and normal PBMC. Thus, the over-expression of various chemokines may promote the recruitment of inflammatory cells into rheumatoid inflamed joints.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1994

Experimental arthritis induced by continuous infusion of IL-8 into rabbit knee joints.

To determine the roles of IL-8 in inflammatory synovitis, examination was made of the results of continuously injecting human recombinant IL-8 into the knee joints of New Zealand while rabbits. Recombinant human IL-8 was infused continuously into the joint cavity at 75 ng/h for 14 days by a polypropylene catheter connected to a mini-osmotic pump implanted in each rabbit. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into joint cavity and histopathological changes in synovial tissue were examined at 7 and 14 days following the start of infusion. The continuous infusion of IL-8 for 14 days led to severe arthritis characterized by apparent erythema and joint pain, the accumulation of leucocytes, infiltration of mononuclear cells in synovial tissue, and marked hypervascularization in the synovial lining layer. IL-8 may be a factor which can contribute to the inflammatory process of chronic arthritis by mediating leucocyte recruitment and hypervascularization in inflamed joints.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides for IL-2, c-myc and transferrin receptor synchronize mitogen-activated lymphocytes in the G1 phase.

In order to clarify the role and interrelationship of c-myc, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and transferrin receptor (TfR) expressions on PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, we examined the effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed against c-myc, TfR, and IL-2 mRNAs on DNA synthesis and cell-cycle phase. Exposure of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes to each antisense oligomer resulted in approximately 75-80% inhibition of DNA synthesis. TfR expression was not inhibited in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes by c-myc or IL-2 antisense oligonucleotides, suggesting that the expression of c-myc, TfR, and of IL-2 is regulated by an independent mechanism. All three antisense oligonucleotides for c-myc, TfR and IL-2 synchronized mitogen-activated lymphocytes to the G1 phase as assessed by morphologic blast formation and cell-cycle phase analysis.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Cloning of cDNAs for new subtypes of murine low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23).

In humans, two subtypes of the low-affinity Fc receptor for IgE, Fc epsilon RIIa and Fc epsilon RIIb, have been identified. The two forms differ only in a short stretch of amino acids at the cytoplasmic amino terminus. On the other hand, only one Fc epsilon RIIa-like receptor was reported in the mouse, although the existence of another subtype of transcript has been suggested. A new cDNA subtype for murine Fc epsilon RII that has amino acid homology to the human subtype b at the amino terminus was cloned by polymerase chain reaction. When expressed transiently in COS cells, the cDNA is capable of generating a functional cell surface protein that is recognized by an anti-Fc epsilon RII antibody and that has affinity to IgE. In the spleen, although the expression level is considerably lower than that of subtype a, the transcript appears in B cells and in non-B cells upon stimulation with IL-4 and LPS, in contrast to the constitutive expression of the conventional Fc epsilon RII transcript. It is also detectable in several cell lines of B- or T-cell lineages. These results suggest that this gene may be the murine counterpart of human Fc epsilon RII subtype b. Another cDNA clone for the distinct Fc epsilon RII transcript has also been isolated. The cDNA also encodes a surface protein functional on COS cells, but its human counterpart has not been found.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Paradoxical embolism as a cause of ischemic stroke of uncertain etiology. A transcranial Doppler sonographic study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that paradoxical embolization would be a cause of embolic strokes and transient ischemic attacks in patients with stroke of uncertain etiology in all age groups. METHODS: Thirty patients who had stroke of uncertain etiology were studied. They were divided into the following three groups: 13 patients with sudden onset (group A), 11 patients with subacute onset (group B), and 6 asymptomatic stroke patients (group C). Eleven patients with stroke of obvious etiology (group D) and 11 normal healthy volunteers (group E) were also studied as controls. In all patients transcranial Doppler sonography and contrast echocardiography were recorded simultaneously after intravenous injection of the contrast medium. Findings of positive patient foramen ovale in contrast echocardiography or "chirp" sounds in transcranial Doppler sonography were defined as positive for paradoxical contrast embolization. Radioisotope phlebography of the lower extremities and pulmonary scintigraphy, using technetium-99 macroaggregated albumin, were performed in all 17 patients who had positive findings of paradoxical contrast embolization and in 12 patients whose findings were negative. RESULTS: Positive findings of paradoxical contrast embolization were found in 17 subjects by transcranial Doppler sonography but in only 8 on contrast echocardiography. These positive findings were detected more frequently in group A (77%) than in groups B, D, and E (9%, 18%, and 9%, respectively) (P < .05). In group C, 4 of 6 patients (67%) had positive findings. There were positive findings on both phlebography and pulmonary scintigraphy only in 6 group A patients, with positive findings of paradoxical contrast embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial Doppler sonography is a sensitive detector of right-to-left shunts. Paradoxical cerebral embolization might be frequent in patients with stroke of unknown etiology, especially when the stroke is of sudden onset.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in the human ovary during follicular growth, regression and atresia.

The cytologic localization and cellular levels of TGF alpha in the human ovary during follicular growth and regression were examined by avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase techniques with a monoclonal antibody to TGF alpha. In primordial follicles, only the oocyte showed intense immunostaining for TGF alpha, whereas the flattened pregranulosa cells were negative for the immunostaining. The earliest stage of follicular growth at which immunostaining for TGF alpha in granulosa cells and theca interna cells became apparent was the preantral stage. With the increase in the size of follicles, the intensity of TGF alpha immunostaining in the oocyte decreased, whereas the staining intensity of the granulosa and theca cells increased. The immunostaining for TGF alpha in granulosa and theca interna cells persisted in the corpus luteum, and further intensified during the midluteal phase. In the regressing corpus luteum, the immunostaining was present only in the peripheral theca lutein cells adjacent to the central scar tissue. The corpus albicans was negative for the immunostaining. Stromal cells exhibited weak staining for TGF alpha. In atretic follicles, the theca interna cells exhibited intense staining for TGF alpha without appreciable staining in the scattered granulosa cells. This is the first report to demonstrate that TGF alpha expression in the oocyte is maximal in primordial follicles, whereas TGF alpha expression in granulosa and theca cells increases with the progress of follicles and reaches its maximum in the lutein cells during the mid luteal phase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Stage-limited expression of myc oncoprotein in the human ovary during follicular growth, regression and atresia.

The cytologic localization and cellular levels of myc oncoprotein in the human ovary during follicular growth, regression and atresia were examined by the avidin/biotin immunoperoxidase method with a specific antibody to myc oncoprotein. In primordial follicles, only the oocyte showed intense immunostaining for myc protein, whereas the granulosa cells were negative for the staining. In preantral follicles, both the oocyte and granulosa cells were moderately immunostained for myc protein. In antral and preovulatory follicles, there was no appreciable staining for myc protein in the granulosa or theca cells, while myc protein staining in the oocyte persisted with less intensity. It is of interest that myc protein expression in granulosa cells was apparent only during the preantral follicle stage. Corpora lutea during the early and mid luteal phase were negative for myc protein staining, whereas in regressing corpora lutea during the late luteal phase, peripheral theca lutein cells adjacent to the central core of scar tissue were immunostained for myc protein. Corpora albicans showed no staining for myc protein. In atretic follicles, granulosa cells and theca interna cells demonstrated positive staining for myc protein. Ovarian stromal cells were negative for the immunostaining throughout the menstrual cycle. This demonstrates that myc protein is expressed in a stage-limited manner in the human ovary during follicular growth and regression. The abundant expression of myc protein in the oocyte at the primordial and preantral follicle stages and in the granulosa cells at the preantral follicle stage suggests a role for myc expression in the initial growth of the oocyte as well as in the autonomous growth of granulosa cells during the preantral stage seemingly independent of gonadotropic stimulation. Furthermore, notable expression of myc protein in the granulosa cells and theca interna cells of atretic follicles and in the peripheral theca lutein cells of regressing corpora lutea implies the possible participation of myc expression in remodelling the ovarian local tissue following atresia and luteolysis in the human ovary.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and antiphospholipid syndrome: successful treatment with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and anticoagulant.

A female patient with a history of migraines and chorea developed polyarthralgia at age 24 and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. In 1991 she was hospitalized because of impaired renal function and hypertension. Examination revealed thrombocytopenia and the presence of lupus anticoagulant. Antinuclear antibody was weakly positive, but anti-DNA antibody was negative, and no decrease in leukocyte count or complement level was observed. Rheumatoid arthritis with antiphospholipid syndrome was diagnosed. Renal biopsy showed renal thrombotic microangiopathy. This renal lesion was considered to be associated with antiphospholipid syndrome. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy and anticoagulation therapy decreased proteinuria and improved renal function.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Marked elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in the peripheral blood as an initial manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis.

Marked elevation of tumor markers in the peripheral blood was initially a sole manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis in a man with gastric carcinoma. In addition to extensive meningeal carcinomatosis, no metastatic lesions were found at autopsy other than microscopic infiltration into a tiny paraaortic lymph node. Elevation of these markers in the peripheral blood is best explained by meningeal carcinomatosis. When elevation of these markers is otherwise unexplainable, meningeal carcinomatosis should be considered as a diagnostic possibility even in the absence of neurological symptoms.

CA-19-9 Antigen↗

PubMed1994

Current fever of unknown origin 1982-1992.

Since its first rigid definition in 1961 by Petersdorf and Beeson, fever of unknown origin (FUO) has been a major clinical challenge. In this clinical investigation, a retrospective study was conducted on 153 patients meeting the classic criteria of FUO. Collagen-vascular disease was found to be the most common cause of FUO, a change since our last study conducted from 1971 to 1982, replacing infection as the most common disease category of FUO. FUO in elderly patients was also analyzed. By comparing previously documented studies, we observed a new variation in the diseases that are possible causes of FUO. This report will define the present status of FUO in Japan, as well as a comparison with our previous study and other documented studies to determine the shift in the spectrum of diseases causing FUO.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Cutaneous vasculitis in a patient with dermatomyositis without muscle involvement.

A 74-year-old female patient with cutaneous ulcerations and typical dermatomyositis (DM) skin rash had no muscle disease for a 1-year and 5 months period. Histological examination of the skin ulceration indicated vascular occlusion without cellular infiltration. Cutaneous ulceration is a very rare manifestation of adult-onset DM patients without inflammatory myopathy.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Preliminary evaluation of the new tumor marker, CYFRA 21-1, in lung cancer patients.

Serum samples from 137 lung cancer patients were examined by RIA to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the new tumor marker, CYFRA 21-1, which could identify the soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19. The cut-off value was determined to be 2.2 ng/ml according to the receiver operating characteristic curve. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the RIA for CYFRA 21-1 were 57.7, 91.9 and 64.9%, respectively. The serum concentration of CYFRA 21-1 and the sensitivity of the assay increased as the disease progressed. Histologically, the sensitivity was highest for squamous cell carcinomas (SQ) (76.5%) in comparison with adenocarcinomas (47.8%) and small cell lung cancers (42.1%) (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). The sensitivities for SQ were 60.0, 83.3, 80.0 and 100% at stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. When compared with CEA (45.3%) and squamous cell carcinoma related antigen (SCC) (22.6%) in all lung carcinomas, CYFRA 21-1 showed the highest sensitivity (57.7%), (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). In SQ, the sensitivity of the CYFRA 21-1 RIA was significantly higher than that of the assay for SCC (47.1%) (P < 0.05). In patients with adenocarcinomas, the sensitivity of the CYFRA 21-1 assay was almost the same as that for CEA (49.3%). In a combination of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), the sensitivity and accuracy increased to 75.4 and 78.1%, respectively, although the specificity decreased to 86.5%. It is concluded that CYFRA 21-1 could replace SCC, a less satisfactory tumor marker, for SQ of the lung. The potentiality of the combination of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA for NSCLC should be estimated using larger samples in the near future.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1994

[A case of argyrophilic grain dementia with emotional disorder].

Autopsy of a patient with mild dementia associated with an emotional disorder characterized by paroxysmal rage and excitement during the clinical course revealed massive argyrophilic grains in the subicular, entorhinal and amygdaloid regions, and to a lesser extent in other limbic areas as well. A few argyrophilic coiled bodies were also found in the subcortical white matter in the same area as the cortical argyrophilic grains. These pathological findings are consistent with a type of cytoskeletal abnormality referred to as 'argyrophilic grain dementia', which some authors describe as a new type of progressive dementia. Immunohistochemically, the grains reacted with anti-human-tau, and in part with anti-ubiquitin antibodies. Immunoelectron microscopic examination revealed the grains to consist of tubulo-vesicular structures within processes, but it was impossible to identify their origin. The neuropathologic substrate of this peculiar case of dementia was thought to be the grains in the limbic area. The detailed clinical picture and distribution of the grains are described to contribute to further discussion.

Affective Symptoms↗

PubMed1994

[Methylprednisolone pulse therapy for SLE patients with CNS disorder].

A clinical trial was conducted in 22 SLE patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorder in which the efficacy of pulse methylprednisolone suleptanate at the dose of 400 mg or 800 mg (as methylprednisolone) was assessed. The symptoms of CNS disorder disappeared within 40 days after pulse therapy in all of the 16 patients with organic brain syndrome (OBS). No improvement in the symptoms took place in any but one of the five patients who had cerebrovascular disorder. One SLE patient with depression showed improvement 55 days after pulse therapy. In the patients with OBS who had not received pulse therapy until 28 days or more after onset of CNS disorder, the symptoms disappeared in 20 days or more in both 400 mg and 800 mg dose groups. On the other hand, five of the six patients given the dose of 800 mg within 10 days of occurrence of the disease experienced a complete relief of the symptoms in 10 days after pulse therapy. However, at least 13 days were required for complete relief in all the four patients of the 400 mg group. The adverse reactions reported consisted of hyperlipemia, diabetes mellitus, and infections such as thrush or herpes zoster. The above results suggest that methylprednisolone pulse therapy is useful in the treatment of CNS disorder associated with SLE, particularly in patients with OBS who are given the dose of 800 mg early after onset of the disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[The two cases of examination of chemotherapy in advanced gallbladder carcinoma].

Two cases of advanced carcinoma of gallbladder were treated by combination chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU, leucovorin and continuous administration of etoposide. One of the cases was a male 61 years old and another was a female 64 years old, both of whom were diagnosed as inoperable cases by imaging studies. When combination chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU (750mg/day or 1,000mg/day infusion) was given, leucovorin (30mg/day) and etoposide (25mg/day oral or 33mg/day continuous infusion), angiography or other imaging studies pointed out a reduction in their lesions of over 50%, and their QOL was markedly improved.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1994

[Peripheral T cell lymphoma (immunoblastic type, HTLV-1 negative) associated with aganglionosis of the intestine].

A 56-year-old female was hospitalized in 1992, because of fever and lymphadenopathy. She had ileus due to aganglionosis of the intestine diagnosed in 1990. Blood tests disclosed anemia and thrombocytopenia. Peripheral blood smear demonstrated 69.5% abnormal cells and a T-cell origin was demonstrated on cell marker study by flow cytometry. Immunological examinations, including serum HTLV-1 antibody were negative. Lymph node biopsy revealed malignant lymphoma; diffuse large, immunoblastic. The clonality of the T-cell malignancy was shown by detecting rearrangement of T-cell receptor beta gene. A diagnosis of PTCL, high grade, immunoblastic, was made. The patient received various chemotherapeutic agents and achieved a short remission, then died 5 months after the diagnosis. The classification of T-cell lymphoma was established by Suchi and the Kiel classification. Many ATL/L cases have been reported in Japan before the above classification was affirmed, although there have been few reports of ATL/L-like diseases in which serum HTLV-1 antibodies were negative. The case reported here was HTLV-1 negative, although the patient was diagnosed as ATL/L-like disease, because the results of various laboratory examinations were similar to these of HTLV-1 positive cases. Characteristics of this case included a female patient and leukemic clinical features, because the gender preponderance of PTCL, high grade, immunoblastic is male and the clinical features of the disease are not usually leukemic. It was also characteristic that PTCL coexisted with aganglionosis of the intestine. Basic disturbances in the latter condition would be similar to aganglionic megacolon in which a possible aberrant immune mechanism was shown.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

PubMed1994

[Early detection of breast cancer by mass screening using mammography].

A mass screening trial for breast cancer using mammography was carried out in Tokushima Prefecture, either itinerant screening in the communities or center screening at the workplace. Craniocaudal and lateral oblique imagings of the breast using two-view film mammography were performed at the first stage of screening. In addition, physical examination of the breast was also performed on subjects independently. A total of 8 cases with breast cancer were found in these trials by mammography alone, and no cases with breast cancer were detected by physical examination. The detection rates were 0.19% in itinerant screening, and 0.92% in center screening, respectively. This was much higher than the level (0.10%) obtained by mass screening using physical examination alone in Japan. Moreover, in elderly patients (age over 50 years), the detection rates were higher (0.54%, 1.21%). The number of clinical stage for cases with breast cancer detected by these screening were 5 cases in TIS and 3 in stage I. Thus, all cases were patients with early-stage breast cancer. From these results, mass screening using mammography should be mandatory for elderly women (over 50 years) with asymptomatic breasts.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Double blind trial of pulse methylprednisolone versus conventional oral prednisolone in lupus nephritis].

A double blinded clinical trial was conducted in which the efficacy and safety of pulse methylprednisolone (400 mg/day) was compared with oral prednisolone (50 mg/day), a control drug for a period of 3 months. One-hundred and two (102) patients were enrolled in the study, of which 91 patients were determined as eligible for analysis of efficacy. Patients on pulse methylprednisolone had more favorable response to therapy with regard to laboratory value changes from baseline such as CH50 and anti-DNA antibody titers. In terms of anti-DNA antibodies, a significant difference was detected at one week after treatment. With regard to time course changes in laboratory values, CH50 at one and two weeks after treatment showed a significantly higher elevation in the pulse methylprednisolone group than in the control group. There was no significant difference noted in incidence of adverse reactions between both treatment groups. No serious adverse reaction was encountered in the pulse methylprednisolone group. The physician's assessment of final global improvement significantly favored the pulse methylprednisolone-treated group. The above results suggest that the pulse therapy with methylprednisolone leads to more rapid onset of drug effect than the conventional oral prednisolone in the treatment of lupus nephritis.

Administration, Oral↗