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Biomedical subjects

K Kono

Publications and source records attributed to K Kono.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Unusual CT and MR findings of inflammatory pseudotumor in the parapharyngeal space: case report.

Unusual MR and CT findings of an inflammatory pseudotumor in the parapharyngeal space of a 73-year-old woman are reported. The mass was hypointense on T1- and T2-weighted images and demonstrated ring enhancement after contrast medium injection. Punctated calcifications were scattered at the periphery. Inflammatory pseudotumors in the parapharyngeal space are rare, and only three cases have been reported. The possible pathogenesis and varieties of inflammatory pseudotumors are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Functional characteristics of pharmacy services related to home care in a certain suburban area].

In order to clarify functional characteristics of pharmacy services related to home care in a suburban area, a questionnaire survey regarding home-care services was conducted for all 75 pharmacies belonged to T-City Pharmaceutical Association. The following services were investigated; A) prescription (medication guidance for patients and their families, provision of drug information to patients, management of the patient's drug history, dispensing, advice to physicians, inquiries, management of prescriptions for home infusion services); B) supply (sales of items such as over-the-counter [OTC] drugs [commercially available drugs that do not require a physician's prescription], display and catalogue sales of nursing items); C) consultation (consultation on home care, holding events such as health education programs); D) management (guidance for drug management by home visit); and E) information exchange (information exchange with other medical professionals and social workers). The results of the present study were as follows. (1) The following services were considered important and therefore regularly performed; A) prescription: medication guidance for patients and their families, provision drug information to patients, management of the patient's drug history, dispensing, advice to physicians, inquiries; and B) supply: sales of items such as OTC drugs. (2) The following services were considered important, but not sufficiently regularly performed; B) supply: display and catalogue sales of nursing items; C) consultation: consultation on home care, holding events such as health education programs; D) management: guidance for drug management by home visits; and E) information exchange. (3) On factor analysis, among home care-related pharmacy services, display and catalogue sales of nursing items as well as consultation on home care were present in the same factor group as contained sales of items such as OTC drugs, which showed a high accomplishment rate. Guidance for drug management by home visits and information exchange with other social workers were present in the same factor group as contained information exchange with other medical professionals, which showed a relatively low accomplishment rate. In summary, home care-related pharmacy services were found to be associated with information exchange and supply/consultation functions. This suggests that to improve home care-related services in pharmacies, information exchange among health, medical practices, and social welfare-associated professionals, not previously promoted, should be stimulated and supported.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with an apical aneurysm and sustained ventricular tachycardia: a case report].

A 60-year-old woman presented with mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with an apical aneurysm and sustained ventricular tachycardia. She was admitted because of drug refractory ventricular tachycardia. She had been treated with several antiarrhythmic agents, including amiodarone, but symptomatic episodes had continued. Echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and left ventriculography showed mid-ventricular obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with an apical aneurysm. Electrophysiological study easily reproduced sustained pleomorphic ventricular tachycardia, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. The patient underwent implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. The relationship between mid-ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and apical aneurysm is unknown, but mid-ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the causes of severe ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗
PubMed2000

Design of fusogenic liposomes using a poly(ethylene glycol) derivative having amino groups.

As a novel fusogenic liposome, we designed liposomes modified with poly(glycidol) having beta-alanine residues, which is a poly(ethylene glycol) derivative with positively charged groups. The polymer-modified liposomes of egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) were prepared by reverse phase evaporation. Fusion of the polymer-modified liposomes with anionic liposomes consisting of phosphatidic acid and DOPE was investigated. Fusion ability of the polymer-modified liposomes increased with increasing amount of the polymer fixed on the liposome. Also, inclusion of DOPE was necessary for the generation of the fusion ability of the polymer-modified liposomes. CV1 cells treated with the polymer-modified DOPE/EYPC liposomes containing calcein displayed diffuse fluorescence, suggesting that calcein was introduced into the cytoplasm. In contrast, only punctual fluorescence was observed in the cells treated with the polymer-modified EYPC liposomes containing calcein, indicating that calcein remained in the endosome and/or lysosome. In addition, COS1 cells were transfected efficiently by treatment with the polymer-modified EYPC/DOPE liposomes containing pSV2cat plasmid, whereas the transfection was not induced by treatment with the polymer-modified EYPC liposomes. Close correlation between fusion ability of the polymer-modified liposomes and their ability to deliver their contents to the cytoplasm implies that membrane fusion plays an important role in the liposome-mediated cytoplasmic delivery.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The efficacy of conventional radiation therapy in the management of pituitary adenoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of conventional radiotherapy for reducing tumor size and endocrine hypersecretion of pituitary adenomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the records of 91 patients with pituitary adenoma, who were first treated between 1969 and 1994 and had been followed for more than 2 years (median, 8.2 years.) Of these patients, 86 had received postoperative radiotherapy, and 5 had received radiotherapy alone. The median total dose was 51 Gy. Clinical symptoms related to mass effects or endocrine hypersecretion were assessed. The efficacy of radiotherapy was evaluated before treatment and during the follow-up period (1-14 years; median, 3 years) by estimating tumor size on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in 56 patients, as well as by endocrine testing in the 22 patients who had secreting adenomas. Local control rate, prognostic factors, and side effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Mass-effect symptoms improved in 72% and 79% of patients who had such symptoms due to nonsecreting adenomas and secreting adenomas, respectively. Symptoms of endocrine hypersecretion abated in 67% of patients who had such symptoms. Excessive hormone levels normalized in 74% of patients who showed endocrine hypersecretions. The greatest size reduction was seen 3 years after the completion of radiotherapy (24% CR, 62% PR, 12% NC, and 3% PD in nonsecreting adenomas, and 32% CR, 36% PR, 27% NC, and 5% PD in secreting adenomas). Three patients with secreting adenomas (2 with prolactinoma and 1 with Cushing's disease) showed a mismatch between reduction in tumor size and normalization of endocrine hypersecretion. The 10-year local control rates were 98%, 85%, 83%, and 67% for nonsecreting adenoma, growth-hormone-secreting adenoma, prolactinoma, and Cushing's disease, respectively. Univariate analyses showed that disease type and radiation field size were significant prognostic factors. Brain necrosis occurred in 1 patient who received a 60-Gy dose of irradiation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that conventional external radiotherapy with 50 Gy is safe and sufficient to control pituitary adenoma. Careful observation is required in the management of secreting adenomas because the effects on tumor size and endocrine hypersecretion may be mismatched in some secreting adenomas.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a novel mammalian sphingosine kinase type 2 isoform.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) has diverse biological functions acting inside cells as a second messenger to regulate proliferation and survival, and extracellularly, as a ligand for G protein-coupled receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene-1 subfamily. Based on sequence homology to murine and human sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), which we recently cloned (Kohama, T., Oliver, A., Edsall, L. , Nagiec, M. M., Dickson, R., and Spiegel, S. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23722-23728), we have now cloned a second type of mouse and human sphingosine kinase (mSPHK2 and hSPHK2). mSPHK2 and hSPHK2 encode proteins of 617 and 618 amino acids, respectively, both much larger than SPHK1, and though diverging considerably, both contain the conserved domains found in all SPHK1s. Northern blot analysis revealed that SPHK2 mRNA expression had a strikingly different tissue distribution from that of SPHK1 and appeared later in embryonic development. Expression of SPHK2 in HEK 293 cells resulted in elevated SPP levels. d-erythro-dihydrosphingosine was a better substrate than d-erythro-sphingosine for SPHK2. Surprisingly, d, l-threo-dihydrosphingosine was also phosphorylated by SPHK2. In contrast to the inhibitory effects on SPHK1, high salt concentrations markedly stimulated SPHK2. Triton X-100 inhibited SPHK2 and stimulated SPHK1, whereas phosphatidylserine stimulated both type 1 and type 2 SPHK. Thus, SPHK2 is another member of a growing class of sphingolipid kinases that may have novel functions.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of expressed sequence tags from male and female sexual organs of Marchantia polymorpha.

A total of 935 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from male immature sexual organ were determined, of which 600 ESTs were assembled into 110 non-redundant groups, resulting in 445 unique EST sequences. Of these, 244 sequences shared significant similarities to known nucleotide or amino acid sequences in other organisms. The remaining 201 unique sequences showed no significant matches and thus are likely to be novel transcripts. ESTs from male and female immature sexual organs of a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha, were compared to characterize gene expression patterns during sex differentiation. Ninety-nine male ESTs turned out to be common genes found also in the female library. Interestingly, one of the ESTs found only in male shows a significant similarity to the transformer-2 gene involved in sex determination in Drosophila. In female, several unique lectin ESTs were found that are not present in the male library.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Functional characterization of human sphingosine kinase-1.

Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP), a novel lipid mediator with both intra- and extracellular functions. Based on sequence identity to murine sphingosine kinase (mSPHK1a), we cloned and characterized the first human sphingosine kinase (hSPHK1). The open reading frame of hSPHK1 encodes a 384 amino acid protein with 85% identity and 92% similarity to mSPHK1a at the amino acid level. Similar to mSPHK1a, when HEK293 cells were transfected with hSPHK1, there were marked increases in sphingosine kinase activity resulting in elevated SPP levels. hSPHK1 also specifically phosphorylated D-erythro-sphingosine and to a lesser extent sphinganine, but not other lipids, such as D,L-threo-dihydrosphingosine, N, N-dimethylsphingosine, diacylglycerol, ceramide, or phosphatidylinositol. Northern analysis revealed that hSPHK1 was widely expressed with highest levels in adult liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle. Thus, hSPHK1 belongs to a highly conserved unique lipid kinase family that regulates diverse biological functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Water-soluble dendritic unimolecular micelles: their potential as drug delivery agents.

To explore the potential of dendritic unimolecular micelles in drug delivery systems, dendritic unimolecular micelles with a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrophilic shell were prepared by coupling dendritic hypercores with poly(ethylene glycol) [PEG] mesylate. The monomer selected to build the dendritic cores was 4, 4-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl) pentanol as this large monomer unit provides flexibility to the dendritic structure while contributing to the "container" capacity of the overall structure. Four generations of dendritic hypercores with six, 12, 24, and 48 phenolic end groups were prepared. Subsequent coupling reactions with PEG mesylate afforded four generations of dendritic unimolecular micelles. The micelles were characterized by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), 1H-NMR and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The "container" property of micelles was demonstrated by solubilizing pyrene in aqueous solution. Entrapment of the model drug indomethacin in the dendritic micelles was achieved at 11 wt.% loading level, and preliminary in vitro release tests showed that sustained release characteristics were achieved.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2000

Toxicokinetics of intravenous fluoride in rats with renal damage caused by high-dose fluoride exposure.

Fluoride (F) complexes are used in some fields of industry and medicine. F excretion mainly depends on kidney function. Urinary F concentration is measured to monitor the health of workers exposed to F. The toxicokinetics of F were studied by analyzing plasma concentration of F after intravenous injection of 2.86, 5.71 and 8.57 mg/kg into male Wistar rats. A dose-response relationship was recognized between these F doses and renal tissue injury. Blood samples were removed at 0, 10, 20, and 30 min, and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h after injection. Plasma concentration-vs-time profiles were evaluated by a nonlinear least-squares method for fitting data to polyexponential equations and calculation of relevant pharmacokinetic parameters. Results indicated that a two-compartment model could describe the elimination of F from plasma. The beta rate constant, total plasma clearance (C1) and first-order rate constants (K21, Kel) decreased, and the half-time of the beta-phase (t1/2beta) was significantly prolonged with increasing dose. The kidney is the main target organ for F toxicity. Acute exposure to high doses of F damages renal tissue and causes renal dysfunction. The C1 of F is mainly dependent on renal F excretion. Since severe kidney damage markedly affected the toxicokinetics of F and decreased its elimination, other nephrotoxic indicators and measurement of plasma F concentration are necessary for monitoring high-dose F exposure.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Successful treatments of lung injury and skin burn due to hydrofluoric acid exposure.

Recent growth in the electronics and chemical industries has brought about a progressive increase in the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF), along with the concomitant risk of acute poisoning among HF workers. We report severe cases of inhalation exposure and skin injury which were successfully treated by administering a 5% calcium gluconate solution with a nebulizer and applying 2.5% calcium gluconate jelly, respectively. Case 1: A 52-year old worker used HF for surface treatment after welding stainless steel, and was hospitalized with rapid onset of severe dyspnea. On admission to the critical care medical center he had widespread wheezing and crackles in his lungs. Chest radiograph showed a fine diffuse veiling over both lower pulmonary fields. Severe hypocalcemia with high concentrations of F in serum and urine were disclosed. He was immediately given 5% calcium gluconate solution by intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB), utilizing a nebulizer. On the 21st hospital day, chest film and CT scan did not demonstrate any abnormality. He was discharged very much improved on the 22nd hospital day. Case 2: A 35-year old worker at an electronics factory was admitted to his local hospital with severe skin burn on his face and neck after exposure to 100% HF. Treatment began with immediate copious washing with water for 20 min. Calcium gluconate 2.5% gel (HF burn jelly) was applied to the area as a first-aid measure. Persistent high concentrations of serum and urinary F were disclosed for 2 weeks. After treatment with applications of HF burn jelly, he was confirmed as being completely recovered. The present cases and a review of published data suggest that an adequate method of emergency treatment for accidental HF poisoning is necessary.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacokinetics and effects after intravenous administration of high-dose boron to rat.

Boron (B) compounds have been widely used in the chemical industry, agriculture, and environmental science. The kinetics and toxicity of B were studied by analyzing several serum and urine parameters after a single intravenous injection of sodium tetraborate solution (B: 85.7 mg/kg) in Wistar male rats. Blood samples were removed at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after injection. The serum parameters studied included: B, Na, Ca, K, P, Mg, gamma-GTP, AST, ALT, BUN, Cr, CK, LDH and ALD. Plasma concentration-time profiles of B were evaluated by a nonlinear least-squares method for fitting data to polyexponential equations and calculation of relevant pharmacokinetic parameters. Urine samples were collected from the bladder following infusion. The urinary parameters that were studied included urine volume and excretion of B, Cr and NAG. Results indicated that a two-compartment model could describe the elimination of B from plasma after intravenous administration. Urine volume significantly increased. A diuretic effect of B was noted.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2000

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated at Fukuoka University Hospital and hospitals and clinics in the Fukuoka city area.

Bacteriological and epidemiological studies were carried out on 106 isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated at our hospital (56 isolates) and from 15 other hospitals and clinics (50 isolates) in the Fukuoka city area. Strains were studied regarding coagulase-type, beta-lactamase production, and antimicrobial susceptibility; genotype studies used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with cluster analysis. The majority of isolates produced coagulase type II (75.5%) and beta-lactamase (72. 6%); there was high susceptibility to arbekacin (84.9%) but no resistance to vancomycin. Dendrogram analysis of PFGE patterns identified five major clusters that generally correlated with coagulase-type and beta-lactamase production. Though isolates of two clusters were both coagulase type II and beta-lactamase producing, which was the most common circulating strain both in our hospital and other hospitals and clinics, dendrogram analysis of PFGE patterns showed that they were heterogeneous. Four genetically identical isolates from the same hospital suggested the existence of hospital-specific strains. Nine genetically identical isolates from intensive care units (ICU) in our hospital suggested that a unique strain of MRSA was found there. It had not been transmitted from another area. PFGE with cluster analysis seemed to be an essential tool to detect area-specific or hospital-specific strains undifferentiated by phenotyping. These findings confirmed that a combination of PFGE, including cluster analysis along with coagulase-type and beta-lactamase production may provide more detailed information for the epidemiological study of MRSA.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed2000

Construction of male and female PAC genomic libraries suitable for identification of Y-chromosome-specific clones from the liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha.

Unlike higher plants, the dioecious liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha, has uniquely small sex chromosomes, with X chromosomes present only in female gametophytes and Y chromosomes only in male gametophytes. We have constructed respective genomic libraries for male and female plantlets using a P1-derived artificial chromosome (pCYPAC2). With an average insert size of approximately 90 kb, each PAC library is estimated to cover the entire genome with a probability of more than 99.9%. Male-specific PAC clones were screened for by differential hybridization using male and female genomic DNAs as separate probes. Seventy male-specific PAC clones were identified. The male specificity of one of the clones, pMM4G7, was verified by Southern hybridization and PCR analysis. This clone was indeed located on the Y chromosome as verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This result shows that the Y chromosome contains unique sequences that are not present either on the X chromosome or any of the autosomes. Thus, the respective male and female libraries for M. polymorpha offer an opportunity to identify key genes involved in the process of sex differentiation and this unique system of sex determination.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

High frequency of c-Met expression in gastric cancers producing alpha- fetoprotein.

Gastric cancers producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have a poor prognosis and a high incidence of liver metastasis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor, c-Met, are known to induce mitosis and cell movement and to promote tumor progression. In the present study, c-Met and HGF expression in AFP-producing gastric cancer was compared with those gastric cancers that do not produce AFP. Twenty-six patients with AFP-producing gastric cancers [AFP(+)] and 26 patients stage-matched gastric cancers without AFP production [AFP(-)] were evaluated for c-Met and HGF expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen-labelling index using immunohistochemical analysis. A higher frequency of c-Met expression was observed in the AFP(+) group than in the AFP(-) group (p < 0.01). A higher expression of c-Met might be one explanation for the poorer prognosis of AFP-producing gastric cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Body height correction in scoliosis patients for pulmonary function test.

We studied standing anteroposterior roentgenograms from 140 scoliosis patients and obtained a correction equation for body height by Cobb angle. This equation is applicable to patients with a double curve or special curve pattern as well as patients with a single curve. The repeatability of the method examined with this equation was higher than that with the previous correction method for body height by Cobb angle, and the difference between the corrected values and the measured values was small. Therefore, this method is considered to be more reliable.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

[A study on coordination of occupational and community health--a survey of occupational health nurses].

The survey was conducted on occupational health nurses to find out their awareness of the issue, levels of coordination practiced at work and contributing factors. Based on the results, measures to facilitate the coordination of the two areas were examined. The major findings are as follows: 1. Cooperation between occupational and community health nurses: More than 40% of the occupational health nurses surveyed were aware of the necessity for cooperation with community health nurses. However, less than 7% of those surveyed actually practiced it at work. The deciding factors included the use of a support system in the community, previous training in community health, and work experience in health centers in the community. To facilitate the cooperation between the two sectors, it is suggested that occupational health nurses acquire more knowledge of community health issues. 2. Coordination through focusing on the employee's life in the community: More than 85% of those surveyed were aware of the necessity of coordinating occupational and community health issues through focusing on the lives of the employees in the community. However, less than 30% practiced it at work. Awareness and practice of occupational health planning scored the lowest. The deciding factors included completion of a public health nursing course and the number of employees assigned to each nurse, the use of a support system in the community, and previous training in community health. To facilitate coordination of occupational and community health issues, it is suggested that occupational health nurses acquire more knowledge of community health issues, the number of employees assigned be carefully considered, and that activities focusing on community health be incorporated into occupational health planning.

Community Health Nursing↗