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Biomedical subjects

K Kono

Publications and source records attributed to K Kono.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

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

Bacteriological and clinical studies were carried out on 280 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated in clinics and hospitals in the Fukuoka city area from September 1990 to March 1991. The percentage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains studied was 41.4% (116 of 280). Of 116 MRSA strains, 48 (41.3%) produced coagulase VII and 21 (18.1%) produced coagulase II. The mean age of the patients who harboured MRSA, 70.5 +/- 16.9 years, was significantly higher than that of patients with methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), 44.2 +/- 29.3 years (P < 0.001). MRSA was detected more frequently than MSSA in sputum (P < 0.01), while MSSA was detected more frequently than MRSA in pus (P < 0.01). Ninety (89.1%) of 101 strains of MRSA were isolated from inpatients and 98 (71.0%) of 130 strains of MSSA were isolated from outpatients. Similar number of MRSA strains were recovered in a variety of hospitals, indicating that there was no relationship between hospital size (number of beds) and the incidence of MRSA. As for drug susceptibility, coagulase VII-producing MRSA strains were more sensitive to clidamycin (P < 0.01) and more resistant to minocycline (P < 0.01) than were other MRSA strains.

Age Factors↗

[Effectiveness of continuous good dental health cares contributing to 20 teeth retained].

This study was made to demonstrate what kinds of continuous care for dental health have teeth remained even at the elderly time. Questionnaires were mailed to 632 men retired from a company at the age of 60s or more, September-October in 1992. Of 424 cases recovered (67.1%), 414 (97.6%) i.e., 185 cases at the age of 60s, 172 of 70s, and 57 of over 80s, were subjected to analysis. All the subjects were classified into two groups. One is the group who has 20 teeth or more, the other having 19 teeth or less. Furthermore, each group was classified into three groups. The first group was no dental health care [DHC] group (group 1), the second one was starting DHC at the age of 20s or 30s (group 2), the third one was doing at the age of 40s or 50s (group 3). These groups were compared with each other group. Items related to dental health were developed by ourselves. Chi-square test was done to prove the relationship between the starting time of continuous DHC and retention teeth of 20 teeth or more in the three age groups. The following three items related to dental health care may contribute significantly to retention teeth of 20 teeth or more at each age group, 1) changing to new brush every 2 or 3 months (p < 0.01), 2) making an effort to have hard foods (p < 0.01), 3) having calcium-rich foods (p < 0.05).

Adult↗

[A case of polymyositis associated with extensive disturbance of cardiac conduction].

We report a case of polymyositis with extensive disturbance of the cardiac conduction system. A 55-year-old woman had received corticosteroids for the treatment of polymyositis for six years. She was admitted to our hospital because of palpitations and vertigo. Abnormalities on electrocardiogram (right bundlebranch block, right axis deviation, and atrioventricular block) and prolonged H-V time on His bundle electrogram revealed extensive disturbance of the cardiac conduction system. Myocardial pathology showed perivascular fibrosis and fatty infiltration. As shown is this case, patients with polymyositis often develop severe cardiac disorders. Therefore, the attention should be paid to the cardiac condition of there patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

[An immunohistological study on expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (form) in human ovarian carcinoma].

Specimens from 102 cases of ovarian cancer were stained immunohistochemically with a rabbit polyclonal antibody prepared against the placental form of the enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST-pi). All 28 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 19 of clear cell carcinoma and 4 of malignant transformed dermoid cysts were stained positively with the GST-pi antibody. These tumors are considered to be resistant to chemotherapeutic agents as compared with other epithelial tumors. With regard to the histological grade, the degree of staining was reduced according to the loss of differentiation. An investigation of the relationship between GST-pi stain and the prognosis of the 50 patients with stage 2,3 or 4, according to the Kaplan-Meier method, revealed that the prognosis improved as the staining decreased. In conclusion, results suggested that immunohistochemical staining of GST-pi is correlated with the chemoresistance of the tumor, and may predict the outcome in patients with ovarian cancer.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

[Establishment of a cisplatin-resistant new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells].

A new human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, Sawano cells, was established from an endometrial adenocarcinoma from a 61-year-old woman and has been maintained in vitro for more than 2 years and 10 months. The cells were found to form a monolayer in a mosaic fashion and to tend to pile up. Population doubling time was 43.2 hours at the 10th generation. The modal chromosomal number of the cell fell in a diploid range. Histology of the tumor induced in athymic mice showed it to be a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma which closely resembled the original human tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were not demonstrated in the in vitro culture cells and in the tumors induced in nude mice, though they were positively demonstrated in the original tumor. The cells had intrinsic cisplatin-resistance (50% inhibition concentration:6.63 micrograms/ml) at 120 hours of contact. We believe this cell line with help us to investigate the biological mechanisms of CDDP resistance.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Novel pH-sensitive liposomes: liposomes bearing a poly(ethylene glycol) derivative with carboxyl groups.

Three kinds of succinylated poly(glycidol)s were synthesized as poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives having carboxyl groups by the reaction of poly(glycidol) with varying amounts of succinic anhydride in dimethylformamide. These polymers promoted fusion of egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine liposome more intensively with decreasing content of carboxyl groups at pH 7.4, although the extent of fusion was limited. However, the polymer with 56% of succinylated residues induced fusion of the liposome much more strongly at pH 4.0. Egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes bearing the succinylated poly(glycidol) which was combined with long alkyl chains as anchors to the liposomal membrane were prepared. The leakage of calcein entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of the liposomes was slight at pH 7.4. However, the leakage increased with decreasing pH. The turbidity measurement and the fusion assay indicate that the liposomes bearing the polymer fuse more intensively with decreasing pH and with increasing amount of the polymer bound to the liposomes.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

A case of arteriovenous malformation in the submucosal layer of the stomach.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the stomach is extremely rare. We report a patient with asymptomatic gastric AVM detected during mass screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The patient, a 69-year-old female, had no history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy revealed a gastric submucosal tumor (3 cm in diameter) at the posterior wall below the esophago-cardiac junction. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a hypoechoic structure in the third layer of the stomach, suggesting gastric AVM in the submucosal layer. Complete resection of the AVM tissue was performed by strip biopsy with surgical resection. Histological examination showed AVM in the submucosal layer. EUS examination was useful for the diagnosis of gastric AVM in this case.

Aged↗

[A case report: cryptococcal meningitis and fluconazole therapy].

An 18-year-old female was given prednisolone and azathioprine for treatment of systemic lups erythematosus. She was admitted to Fukuoka University Hospital because of headache and vomiting. Examinations revealed she was suffering from cryptococcal meningitis. Fluconazole (FLCZ) 400 mg a day was administrated for therapy. Her general condition improved and the serum level of cryptococcal antigen decreased one month after therapy. This therapy resulted in abatement of subjected symptoms and sterilization of the cerebral spinal fluid. This case suggested that therapy with FLCZ alone is useful for patients with cryptococcal meningitis, therefore the standard therapy with amphotericin B (AMPH) or the combination.

Adolescent↗

Antibacterial activity of epigallocatechin gallate against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The antibacterial activity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a catechin, against 53 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was evaluated and expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC50 and MIC90 of the strains were found be 64 and 126 micrograms/ml, respectively by the microdilution method. A time-kill study using an isolate showed that EGCg appeared to be bacteriostatic at 1-2 x MIC and bactericidal at 6 x MIC against MRSA. In addition, the activity of EGCg was stable to various physical conditions including boiling or freezing. These findings suggest that EGCg could be a useful agent for treating MRSA infection.

Catechin↗

[Health effects of fluorine and its compounds].

Fluoride, the ionic form of fluorine, is a natural component of the biosphere and 13th most abundant element in the crust of the earth. It is, therefore, found in a wide range of concentrations in virtually all inanimate and living things. Many trace elements perform a definite function in human metabolism and the question of the value of fluoride, always found in the body, has been raised. Much evidence suggesting that the inclusion of fluoride in drinking water has beneficial as well as adverse effects on human health was obtained. Either alone or in combination with calcium and/or vitamin D, it is used in high daily doses for the treatment of osteoporosis. Although organic fluorine compounds are used in medicine and commerce, the inorganic fluorine compounds are of greater importance toxicologically because they are more readily available. The major pathway of fluoride elimination from the human body is via the kidney. When renal function deteriorates, the ability to excrete fluoride markedly decreases, possibly resulting in greater retention of fluoride in the body. At this point, more research is needed to evaluate the effects of physiological variables on the fluoride metabolism in humans.

Fluorides↗

[The effects of a day service center on the physical and mental condition and lifestyle of the disabled elderly living at home].

This study investigated the effects of a day service center on the physical and mental condition of the disabled elderly living at home, and clarified the factors which related to physical and mental effects after using the day service center. Sixty-nine male and 141 female subjects (mean age: 79.5 years) were studied by questionnaire. Among males, the characteristics of "having a spouse" and "dementia" occurred with significantly greater frequency than among female subjects, while the prevalence of "more advanced age" and "three-generation household" were significantly higher among females than males. The enjoyments at the center for the elderly were baths and/or meals, and meeting and talking with staff members, volunteers and other elders using the day service center. The survey found that the day service center helped to improve the physical and mental conditions such as cleanliness and cheerfulness. The main factors related to physical and mental effects after using the day service center were age distribution, household composition, degree of dementia and manner of bathing at the center. From the results obtained, it was concluded that the day service center provides the opportunity to improve actual living conditions and promote the welfare of the disabled elderly living at home.

Aged↗

Effects of microsphere suspension agents on systemic hemodynamics in rats. Comparison of nonradioactive colored and radioactive microspheres.

The systemic hemodynamic effects of different microsphere suspension agents were evaluated in 22 Sprague-Dawley male rats. Rats were divided into three groups, and three different solutions (distilled water; n = 7, 10% dextran; n = 8, and 70% glucose; n = 7) were injected through the left atrium respectively. 0.2 ml of each solution was injected repeatedly until significant hemodynamic changes developed. During four sequential injections, distilled water had no significant effects on cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. However, the 10% dextran (mol wt 70,000) solution produced significant decreases in both cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure during and after the third injection. The 70% glucose solution also decreased, cardiac output significantly during the third injection. Although microspheres itself must cause some hemodynamic changes, our results indicated that the hemodynamic disturbances observed during a large dose injection of microspheres might have been at least in part due to the use of high-density suspending solutions. The doses of radioactive microsphere solution in many previous rat studies were usually less than 0.6 ml. However, in the case of large dose injection of microspheres, these results indicate that the suspending solutions can affect hemodynamic parameters in various ways.

Animals↗

[Occult CSF flow disturbance of patients with Alzheimer type dementia and vascular dementia--results from iotrolan CT-cisternography].

We report results of Iotrolan CT-cisternography on 41 demented patients (13 males and 28 females) to find "occult normal pressure hydrocephalus". These patients were suspected to have CSF flow disturbance from clinical symptoms and simple brain CT scan findings. Their average age, duration of dementia, and score of Hasegawa's dementia scale (HDS) were 76.2 years, 5.9 years, 9.5/32.5, respectively. Before performing CT-cisternography, clinical diagnosis for their dementia were vascular dementia in 18 patients, Alzheimer type dementia in 12, suspect of NPH in 5, and other diagnoses in 6. From the results of cisternography, we found 13 patients with CSF flow disturbance (contrast material remained in the ventricle more than 48 hours after injection), and 17 patients with normal CSF flow. The former showed lower scores of HDS, higher urinary incontinence scores and smaller areas of the interhemispheric fissure on CT scan than the latter. But the former showed no significant difference from the latter in the average age, duration of dementia and width of the ventricles.

Aged↗

In vitro activities of arbekacin, alone and in combination, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

We determined the in vitro activities of arbekacin in combination with other antibiotics against 96 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Efficacies were evaluated by comparing frequencies of susceptible strains at concentrations of antibiotics present in serum 3 hours after intravenous administration of recommended dosages with those obtained with addition of 1 or 2 micrograms/ml of arbekacin. The addition of arbekacin significantly increased the antibacterial activities of cefotiam, cefuzonam, flomoxef and fosfomycin, but had no effect on the activity of either imipenem or minocycline. Arbekacin in combination with fosfomycin was found to have the greatest activity against MRSA among combinations tested. In addition, arbekacin had excellent antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to other anti-pseudomonal agents such as piperacillin, ceftazidime and imipenem.

Aminoglycosides↗

Combined therapy with arbekacin and fosfomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

We examined the clinical efficacy of a combination of arbekacin and fosfomycin in the treatment of various methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The combination of arbekacin plus fosfomycin displayed 65.4% (17/26) clinical efficacy and 65.4% (17/26) bacteriological efficacy. This combination thus appeared to be an effective regimen for the treatment of MRSA infections. However, its bacteriological efficacy against concomitant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains was only 16.7% (1/6). In addition, in 4 episodes of superinfection involving P. aeruginosa strains developed during the combination therapy.

Aminoglycosides↗

[Anesthesiological management of a patient with primary aldosteronism complicated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

A 49-year-old male with primary aldosteronism, accompanied by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), underwent our anesthesiological management for resection of a left adrenal tumor. The preoperative examination revealed hypertension, mild nephropathy and hypokalemia. Spilnolactone treatment was discontinued 3 days before surgery. In the operating room, a Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted for monitoring hemodynamic parameters. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide-oxygen-isoflurane and vecuronium. During the surgery, prostaglandin E1 and nitroglycerin were used as vasodilators. During surgery, the patient was successfully managed, anesthesiologically. In anesthesiological management of patients with primary aldosteronism, care is needed regarding changes in blood pressure and electolyte levels during adrenalectomy. In cases where aldosteronism is accompanied by HCM, as in the present case, hemodynamic changes can cause a fatal outcome, and hence, carefulness is needed in using anesthetics and drugs which act on the circulatory system.

Adrenalectomy↗