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Biomedical subjects

I Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to I Kondo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Direct effects of estradiol and tamoxifen on gene expressions of inhibit alpha- and beta A-subunits in rat granulosa cells in vitro.

To analyze direct effects of estrogen on gene expressions of inhibin subunits in vitro, the mRNA levels of inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits were measured in rat granulosa cells cultured with FSH or estradiol. Through the culture process of the granulosa cells with serum-free medium, both the alpha- and beta A subunit mRNAs decreased, and were partially increased again by adding FSH to the culture medium. To examine whether these FSH effects are mediated via estrogen production, estradiol or tamoxifen was added to the cultured granulosa cells. After 36-h culture with estradiol, the inhibin alpha-subunit decreased but the inhibin beta A-subunit increased, in a dose-responsive manner. Tamoxifen showed completely opposite effects to estradiol, and a combination of estradiol and tamoxifen resulted in similar levels of inhibin-alpha and -beta A mRNAs to the control. These results indicate that estrogen would by a certain pathway affect gene expressions of the inhibin subunits in the rat granulosa cells, and may regulate the production of inhibin and activin through the paracrine system.

Animals↗

[Combination therapy with estrogen and UFT in newly diagnosed prostatic cancer (poorly differentiated, stage D2)].

To determine whether long-term oral administration of UFT, a combination of 5-fluorouracil and uracil, in addition to conventional estrogen therapy improved the response and survival of the patients with advanced stage D2 prostate adenocarcinoma, a randomized prospective study was performed with either estrogen alone (Honvan 200 mg/day or presexol 1 mg/day: group A) or estrogen plus UFT (400 mg/day:group B). This study comprises 34 newly diagnosed patients with poorly differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma (18 patients in group A and 16 in group B). Survival from all causes of death or cancer-specific death were compared using Kaplan-Meier actual methods among the patients separated by histological composition of tumors analyzed WHO histologic patterns, score of extent of disease (EOD), and with or without normalization of serum PSA or PAP levels after treatment. Although combination therapy with UFT against overall survival was effective without statistical significance, better survival in this group than the patients treatment with estrogen alone assessed among the patients whose tumor contained more than 70% of medullary and/or column-cord histological components. The survivals among the patients with EOD score 3 and whose serum PSA or PAP levels did not lead to decrease within normal levels after treatment were also better in group B than in group A. These findings suggest the validity of the combination therapy with UFT in addition to estrogen against highly advanced prostatic cancer patients whose tumor composed of abundant non-hormone-refractor histological components.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney discovered by refractory hematuria.

A case of metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney is reported. A 34-year-old married woman was referred to our department complaining of gross hematuria, fever and loin pain. Computed tomography revealed a right renal tumor with mixed density and multiple lung metastases. We performed nephrectomy to control refractory hematuria. The histological diagnosis of the tumor was metastatic choriocarcinoma. In young women, with gross hematuria, menstrual irregularity and atypical renal tumor with multiple lung metastases, metastatic choriocarcinoma of the kidney should be suspected.

Adult↗

[Combination therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin (CDDP) and interferon alpha-2B (IFN alpha-2B) for advanced renal cell carcinoma].

Eleven patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma received combination therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), Cisplatin (CDDP) and Interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b). For 5 days, 500 mg of 5-FU was administered by continuous intravenous infusion daily; 20 mg/m2 CDDP was injected intravenously daily for 5 days, and 3 or 6 million units of IFN alpha-2b was administered intramuscularly twice a week for 3 weeks. This treatment cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. One of 11 patients achieved a partial response, and the response rate was 9%. High grade toxicities (WHO grade 3 or 4), nausea and vomiting (27%), leukocytopenia (9%), anemia (9%) and thrombocytopenia (18%) were seen. One of the reasons that this regimen dose not appear to be effective may be the low total dose of 5-FU for renal cell carcinoma.

Aged↗

[Cerebral oxygen desaturation during rewarming in retrograde cerebral perfusion with total circulatory arrest].

To evaluate cerebral oxygen desaturation during retrograde cerebral perfusion with total circulatory arrest (RCP), we measured cerebral oxygen extraction (O2 Ext), and arterio-venous oxygen differences (AV DO2) during and after RCP and compared the results with usual cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using continuous jugular blood saturation (SjO2) monitoring. In the RCP group, 7 patients underwent aortic arch replacement with RCP and in the CPB group, 4 patients underwent valvular surgery with CPB. A 5.5 Fr oximetric catheter was placed in the jugular bulb and cerebral venous and radial arterial blood were sampled. Oxygen partial pressure and saturation were measured at six intervals from cerebral venous and radial arterial blood. Measurements were taken at the following phases: phase I: before ECC was established, phase II: immediately after ECC started; phase III: at hypothermia (18 degrees C in the RCP group and 28 degrees C in the CPB group), phase IV: during rewarming (30 degrees C), phase V: after rewarming (36 degrees C), phase IV: immediately after weaning from ECC. All 11 patients survived without neurological complications. The minimum SjO2 of continuous monitoring during rewarming in the RCP group was significantly lower than in the CPB group. AVDO2 in the RCP group was also significantly higher than in the CPB group during rewarming. O2 Ext in the RCP group was significantly higher than in the CPB group during and after rewarming. Differences in glucose utilization during and after rewarming were also detected. Moreover, to determine factors that influence SjO2 during and after rewarming, we evaluated correlations with arterial PaCO2, arterial pH, and rewarming duration. There were significant (p < 0.05) correlations between SjO2 and PaCO2 in phase IV and phase V, between SjO2 and pH, and between SjO2 and rewarming duration. In conclusion, continuous SjO2 measurements reflected cerebral oxygen desaturation during and after rewarming in RCP. In RCP, significantly greater desaturation during and after rewarming was detected than in CPB. Therefore we suggest that relatively slow rewarming, higher PaCO2, and more acidic pH strategies were advantageous for preventing desaturation during and after rewarming in RCP.

Adult↗

Association analysis of a polymorphism of the monoamine oxidase B gene with Parkinson's disease in a Japanese population.

The polymorphic allele of the monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) gene detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) was associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Caucasians. We characterized this polymorphic allele, allele 1, of the MAO-B gene using direct sequencing of PCR products. A single DNA substitution (G-A), resulting gain of Mae III restriction site was detected in intron 13 of the MAO-B gene. The allele associated with PD in Caucasians was twice as frequent as in healthy Japanese, but the association of the allele of the MAO-B gene was not observed in Japanese patients with PD.

Adult↗

Molecular cloning and gene mapping of human basic and acidic calponins.

The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of human basic and acidic calponins were determined. The basic calponin cDNA from human aorta (1496 bp) contained a single open reading frame (ORF) which encodes 297 amino acids (33,169 Da). The acidic calponin cDNA from human kidney (1607 bp) contained a single ORF which encodes 329 amino acids (36,412 Da). Basic calponin mRNA was expressed in only smooth muscle tissues, but acidic calponin mRNA was expressed in non-smooth muscle tissues as well as smooth muscle tissues. Fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that basic and acidic calponin genes localize in 19p13.1-13.2 and 1p21-22 of human chromosomes, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lipid composition and fatty acid analysis of Helicobacter pylori.

Lipids extracted from Helicobacter pylori were separated into lipid classes by thin-layer chromatography. Simple H. pylori lipids consisted of cholesterol esters, triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, diacylglycerols, and monoacylglycerols. Fatty acids were released from each lipid class by acid methanolysis, and analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Unique methoxy fatty acids, including 11-methoxy heptadecanoic and 11-methoxy nonadecanoic acids, were the major components of the cholesterol esters and triglycerides. The predominance of methoxy fatty acids in the cholesterol esters of H. pylori may contribute to the acid-resistant characteristic of this bacillus.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA): clinical, genetic, and neuroradiologic studies in a family.

The clinical, genetic, and neuroradiologic characteristics of dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) are delineated in six patients from three generations of a Japanese family. The clinical characteristics of the disease varied, the age at onset depending on patients with juvenile-onset were characterized by myoclonus, epilepsy, and mental retardation whereas cerebellar ataxia, choreoathetosis, and dementia were typical of adult- and senile-onset patients. All affected individuals showed one expanded allele with the repeat number of CAG at the DRPLA locus, ranging from 58 to 82, and a normal allele, ranging from 10 to 21. The most severely affected patient, a case of maternal transmission and with the largest allele, became bedridden in a vegetative state by age 12. On the CT and MRI, varying degrees of brain atrophy were present in all patients. T2-weighted MRI in patients with senile-onset showed symmetric high-signal lesions in the cerebral white matter, globus pallidus, thalamus, midbrain, and pons. However, MRI in younger patients revealed no such lesions and CT failed to demonstrate lesions in the globus pallidus and brain stem. Thus, intrafamilial heterogeneity of DRPLA was also evident on MRI. High-signal lesions involving both, subcortical white matter and thalamus may be characteristics of senile-onset patients and may correlate with their dementia.

Adult↗

Analysis of triplet repeats in the huntingtin gene in Japanese families affected with Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with the expansion of a CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene. Molecular analysis of the repeat in Japanese HD patients and normal controls was performed. The size of the CAG repeat ranged from 37 to 95 repeats in affected subjects and from seven to 29 in normal controls. A significant correlation was found between the age of onset and the CAG expansion. The length of the expanded repeat is unstable in meiotic transmission and large increases occur in paternal transmission. At the same time the CCG repeat polymorphism adjacent to the CAG repeat was analysed and haplotypes of HD chromosomes were identified. Strong linkage disequilibrium was found between the CAG repeat expansion and an allele of (CCG)10 in Japanese HD chromosomes. It is distinct from that described previously in western populations. Western HD chromosomes strongly associate with an allele of (CCG)7. Possible mechanisms underlying the disequilibrium in Japan are discussed.

Age of Onset↗

DNA analysis in hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy: correlation between CAG repeat length and phenotypic variation and the molecular basis of anticipation.

Hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease with variable clinical phenotypes. Progressive ataxia, choreoathetosis, and dementia are the main clinical features of adult-onset cases, whereas the main feature in juvenile-onset DRPLA is progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Earlier onset is apparent in successive generations (anticipation). The molecular abnormality underlying DRPLA is an expanded, unstable CAG trinucleotide repeat on chromosome 12p. We analyzed 71 DNA samples obtained from 12 Japanese DRPLA pedigrees that included 38 affected individuals. Normal alleles had 7 to 23 repeats, DRPLA alleles 53 to 88 repeats. DRPLA alleles also were detected in five asymptomatic family members. Patients with juvenile onset had significantly larger repeats than did those with adult onset, and there was a significant negative correlation between CAG repeat length and age at onset. In 80% of the paternal transmissions, there was an increase of more than five repeats, whereas all the maternal transmissions showed either a decrease or an increase of fewer than five repeats. There was a significant correlation between father-child differences in repeat length and differences in age at onset. The analysis of CAG repeat length is a reliable diagnostic test for DRPLA and is of value for the presymptomatic detection of individuals at risk. The expansion of CAG repeats is important in phenotypic variation and anticipation. In addition, the sex of the transmitting parent has a significant effect on the molecular mechanism of anticipation.

Adolescent↗

Case of vesico-appendiceal fistula secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix.

We present a rare case of vesico-appendiceal fistula secondary to mucinous adenocarcinoma of the appendix. Transurethral biopsy of the bladder revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of probable colonic origin. Adenocarcinoma of the appendix that directly invaded the bladder was diagnosed preoperatively by air-contrast barium enema, colonoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging. When one encounters a case of adenocarcinoma of the bladder suspected to be of colonic origin, one should examine the colon and rectum as well as the appendix and cecum.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

[Sisters with early onset hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy of childhood--DNA analysis and clinicopathological findings].

Two sisters were presented, 16 years old and 12 years old, who showed similar clinical courses. They had had mental retardation since early childhood, and then ataxia began. They suffered from astatic and tonic seizures from early school age, which gradually evolved to intractable epilepsies. Spasticity progressed, and they deteriorated both physically and mentally. They revealed photo-sensitivity; convulsions were induced by the flickering of light. They were attacked by myoclonic seizures as well as choreoathetosis, and became bedridden by the latter part of the elementary school age. There were no fruitful results of any kind from the laboratory examinations for metabolic disorders. EEG showed that the epileptic seizure discharges were induced by photic stimulation; there were frequent 3-4 Hz diffuse spike-and-wave short bursts during waking and sleep periods. MRI findings of the elder sister at the age of 16 revealed remarkable diffuse brain atrophy. Gene analysis showed abnormally enlarged DNA fragments localized on the short arm of chromosome 12. This meant expanded CAG trinucleotide repeats. The younger sister died at the age of 12 years. Autopsy findings revealed degeneration of both dentatorubral and pallidoluysian pathways. There were especially remarkable gliosis and neuronal cell loss in the outer segment of globus pallidus, and moderate neuronal cell loss and typical grumose degeneration in the dentate nucleus. The diagnosis of juvenile-type hereditary dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy was compatible with the pathologic findings. This diagnosis will be made possible before death through the understanding of the clinical symptoms and molecular genetics.

Adolescent↗

MR of childhood-onset dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy.

MR findings in a 14-year-old boy with progressive myoclonic epilepsy, who was diagnosed as having dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy by DNA analysis, were compared with those of his father, who had adult-onset dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy. Besides showing severe brain atrophy, especially of the brain stem tegmentum and cerebellum, MR showed diffuse periventricular hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. As compared with the proband, the father had a mild case.

Adolescent↗