Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Kojima

Publications and source records attributed to M Kojima.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Comparative morphometric study of bladder detrusor between patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and controls.

PURPOSE: We determined the change in the amount of connective tissue of the detrusor in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in relation to the degree of bladder hypertrophy by ultrasound estimated bladder weight. The ratio of connective tissue-to-smooth muscle between controls and BPH cases was compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For normal controls we used cadaver bladders excised at autopsy from 13 men with no urinary tract diseases. Bladder wall samples were also obtained at subcapsular prostatectomy for BPH in 26 patients. On thin sections stained with Masson trichrome, the ratio of connective tissue-to-smooth muscle was measured using a computer assisted color image analysis. This ratio was compared in BPH cases with estimated bladder weight, which was measured preoperatively using transabdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: A connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio ranged from 19.8 to 28.2% (mean plus or minus standard deviation 24.7+/-2.4) and from 12.9 to 53.3% (27.3+/-9.9) in control and BPH cases, respectively. In BPH cases a significant correlation was noted between estimated bladder weight and connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio (r=0.788, p <0.0001). Interestingly, in BPH cases with an estimated bladder weight of less than 60 gm. the ratio ranged from 12.9 to 30.4% (22.8+/-4.9), which was not significantly different compared to control cases. In contrast, in all BPH cases with an estimated bladder weight of 60 gm. or more connective tissue-to-smooth muscle ratio increased significantly to more than 30% (range 33.4 to 53.3%, mean 42.2+/-13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that abnormal increase of connective tissue in addition to smooth muscle hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia could contribute to advanced bladder hypertrophy caused by infravesical obstruction.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[The affect of Helicobacter pylori and bile acids as the pathogenesis of gastritis of the remnant stomach after distal partial gastrectomy].

AIMS: After distal partial gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction, gastritis of the remnant stomach was previously considered to be caused by bile reflux. However, since in 1982, Helicobacter pylori (HP) was discovered and it was found that this organism caused for many types of stomach diseases. The affect of HP must also be examined in the remnant stomach. In a current study, we examined the existence of HP and explored bile reflux as a pathogenesis of gastritis of the remnant stomach after distal partial gastrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 56 patients who underwent gastrectomy. The existence of HP was investigated before and after gastrectomy. At postoperative gastroscopy, we examined histological findings of remnant gastritis and total bile acid (TBA) concentration in the gastric juice. Then we assessed the effect of HP and TBA on gastritis regarding the time after gastrectomy. RESULT: HP was positive in 75% of the patients before the operation and in 37.5% after the operation. The HP positive ratio was significantly lower in patients more than 5 years after gastrectomy than in those within 5 years. Inflammatory cell infiltration of the remnant gastric mucosa was more prominent in HP positive patients than in HP negative patients. In HP positive remnant stomachs, the TBA concentration of the gastric juice was lower than in HP negative remnant stomachs. CONCLUSION: Within 5 years after distal partial gastrectomy, gastritis of the remnant stomach was mainly caused by HP.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Effectiveness of eyeglasses for protection against ultraviolet rays].

PURPOSE: The relationship between eyeglass size and protection of the eye surface from the effects of solar ultraviolet (UV) rays was investigated. METHODS: Solar UV rays irradiating the eye surface were measured on a mannequin which modeled the standard facial bone structure of a Japanese female. UV sensor chips (photo-sensitivity: 260-400 nm) were attached to the ocular surface of the lid fissure. UV measurement was done from 12:00 to 15:00 on a sunny day in March. UV intensity was measured under the following conditions: 1) with or without eyeglasses, 2) wearing sunglasses with side protectors, and 3) wearing a cap with a 7 cm brim. Eyeglasses of four frame sizes (width: 48-57 mm) were put on the mannequin. All lenses were made of plastic and coated so as to be impervious to rays shorter than 400 nm. The refractive power was 0 diopters. At the same time, UV irradiation intensity from all directions (excluding from the earth direction) was measured using a polyhedron type UV sensor with 25 sensor chips. RESULTS: Except for eyeglasses with the smallest frame size, eyeglasses effectively reduced UV exposure to sunlight from the upper front direction. However, protection against rays from the upper temporal direction was extremely poor. Sunlight from the upper back was reflected by the posterior surface of the eyeglasses and reached the eye surface. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of eyeglasses against UV depends on their size. The shape of the eyeglasses and reflection from the posterior lens surface are also of great importance. Small eyeglasses do not offer ideal UV protection for the Japanese face shape.

Eye Protective Devices↗
PubMed1999

[Seroepidemiological survey of TT virus (TTV) infection in an endemic area for hepatitis C virus].

Seroepidemiological survey of TT virus (TTV) infection was performed in the inhabitants living in an endemic area for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Gifu prefecture, Japan. In this area, 482 of 1062 inhabitants (45.4%) were seropositive for HCV relative antibodies. TTV-DNA was detected in the sera from 12 of 88 inhabitants (13.6%). The positive rate of TTV-DNA had no relation to sex or age. The TTV DNA-positive rate of the inhabitants with HCV infection was 21.4% higher than that of the inhabitants without HCV infection 10.0%. In the present survey, the rate of liver dysfunction of TTV DNA-negative inhabitants was not different from that of TTV DNA-positive inhabitants. Such results seem to suggest that TTV infection is not related to the liver disease in the area.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1999

Mast cell sarcoma with tissue eosinophilia arising in the ascending colon.

Mast cell sarcoma is a rare disease. We report an unusual case of this neoplasm arising in the ascending colon of a 32-year-old Japanese woman who presented with abdominal pain. An ulcerating mass in the colon was resected, along with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Two years after surgery, the neoplasm recurred as left cervical lymphadenopathy and an intra-abdominal mass. Despite predonine and radiation therapy, the disease progressed, and the patient died. The tumor cells had abundant fine granular or clear cytoplasm, and oval, lobulated, or indented nuclei. Numerous mature eosinophils were intermingled with the tumor cells. Immunohistologic studies on paraffin sections demonstrated that the majority of the tumor cells were strongly positive for CD45RB, CD68, and mast cell tryptase. They were unreactive, however, with a broad spectrum of antibodies against myelomonocytic and lymphocytic antigens. The mast cell nature of this rare type of tumor can be best identifiable by immunostains for mast cell tryptase.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiological survey of ocular diseases in K Island, Amami Islands: prevalence of cataract and pterygium].

PURPOSE: An epidemiological survey of ocular disease was performed in a town of the Amami Islands in southwestern Japan. OBJECT AND METHODS: A total of 339 participants over 40 years joined the survey. Among the 339 participants, the lens findings of 602 eyes of 301 subjects were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of lens opacification was 32.0, 54.0, 83.1, 96.9% and 100% among subjects in their 40, 50, 60, 70 s, and over 80 years. Lens opacification over grade II was 4.0, 12.7, 26.2, 60.0% and 83.3%. The cataract type most frequently seen was cortical (96.1%), followed by 48.5% with nuclear opacity and 14.7% with subcapsular type. A high prevalence was seen of pterygium at 25.4%. Although the prevalence of lens opacification was higher in the group with pterygium in their 70 s, no significant difference was noticed in persons in their 40, 50, 60 s, and over 80 years old between the pterygium and non-pterygium groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similarly to the results of a previous survey in Okinawa, Noto, and Hokkaido, the main type of lens opacification was cortical in Amami. The prevalence of nuclear opacification and pterygium was higher than in Noto and Hokkaido, and close to that seen in Okinawa.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Attitudes towards terminal care among the general population and medical practitioners in Japan].

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of attitudes held by the general population and medical practitioners in Japan regarding medical interventions in cases of painful terminal illness or a prolonged vegetative state. METHOD: A mail survey was conducted in 1998. The subjects were 5,000 persons randomly sampled members of the general population age 20 years or more, and 3,104 doctors and 6,059 nurses in hospitals, clinics, palliative units, and visiting nursing service stations randomly sampled. The response rates were 48% among general population, 51% among doctors, 56% among nurses. RESULTS: 1. 68-76% of the general population and medical practitioners expressed disapproval of life-extending medical treatment of terminal patients suffering pain. The application of euthanasia in certain cases was acceptable to 13% of the general population but only 1% of the medical practitioners. 2. Respondents in almost groups favored a home care setting for terminal patient in pain, and regarded relocation to a palliative unit as acceptable if necessary. 3. 46% of doctors and 22% of nurses indicated knowledge of the WHO method for cancer pain relief, and 45% of doctors and 25% of nurses showed that they were able to explain appropriate opioid administration. 4. 74-79% of general population and medical practitioners opposed life-extending medical intervention for patients in a vegetable state. 26% of the general population favored termination of all means of life support, while about 10% of the medical practitioners held this view. 5. Most medical practitioners felt that some medical treatments, such as bedsore care, should be continued in lieu of life support, but there were differences in opinion between practitioners at various types of medical facilities regarding the necessity of such specific measures as, for example, blood pressure monitoring by automatic sphygmomanometer among the medical facilities. CONCLUSION: Both the general population and the medical practitioners in Japan tended to oppose life-extending medical treatment for painful terminal cases and patients in a prolonged vegetable state. There are some differences in opinion between the general population and practitioners at various types of medical facilities regarding the extent of desirable medical care in such circumstances.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

[A sporadic case of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 A associated with a duplication in chromosome 17 p11.2-p12].

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is an autosomal dominant demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Most patients with CMT1A including sporadic cases have been found to have a 1.5 megabase tandem DNA duplication in chromosome 17 p11.2-p12 (CMT1A duplication). We reported a 7-year-old girl with sporadic CMT 1 associated with the CMT1A duplication. The diagnosis of CMT 1 was based on the symmetrical distal muscle weakness, per cavus deformity, reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, and segmental de- and remyelinatin on sural nerve biopsy. To detect the CMT 1A duplication, peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP-22) cDNA and a polymorphic marker in this region, VAW409 R3, were employed as probes for Southern blot analysis. Sporadic cases of autosomal dominant-CMT type 1 can not be clinically differentiated from recessive-CMT1. Testing for the CMT1A duplication is an important first step even in the molecular diagnosis of sporadic CMT1.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease↗
PubMed1999

[The role of power Doppler-guided prostatic biopsy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer].

Between March 1997 and December 1998, a total of 170 cases with an abnormal serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level (range: 4.1-200, mean: 20.5 +/- 31.0) were chosen for this study. Following the evaluation of the prostate using power Doppler imaging (PDI) with a 7.5 MHz transrectal probe, the hypervascular lesion (HVL) was biopsied transperineally under PDI real-time guidance. Thereafter, when gray-scale transrectal sonography revealed a hypoechoic lesion, additional samples were taken from them. Finally, sextant systematic biopsy was performed in all cases. Prostatic biopsy was positive for cancer in 41 cases (24%). The positive biopsy rate was 59% (40/68) in cases with HVL, compared to 1% (1/102) in cases with no HVL (p < 0.0001). In 107 patients with serum PSA 4.1 to 10.0 ng/ml, biopsy was positive in 13 cases (12%). The positive biopsy rate was 38% (12/32) in cases with HVL, compared to 1% (1/75) in cases with no HVL (p < 0.0001). These results imply that HVL represents the neovascularity or increased perfusion of blood in the cancer lesion. Power Doppler-guided prostatic biopsy could be promising as a new biopsy technique in patients with abnormal PSA levels including moderately elevated PSA levels (4.1-10.0 ng/ml).

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Sudden death of clinically unknown origin. An overview of postmortem examinations in Japan].

To elucidate the possible causes of sudden unexpected deaths (SUD) in Japan, we over-viewed autopsy findings described in the Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases in Japan, Vol. 35-37, 1992-1994. A total of 313 cases of SUD of clinically unknown origin (age > = 5 year) were found among the 95,142 autopsy cases listed in the above compilation. The direct causes of death, if identified, were described with their incidences. When the direct cause was undetermined, the most dominant pathological finding was listed. The difference in age between identified and unidentified groups was also studied. In 225 (72%) out of 313 SUD, direct causes of death were clarified as follows: cardiovascular diseases in 140 (acute myocardial infarction in 75), pulmonary diseases in 32, cerebrovascular diseases in 17, and gastrointestinal or hepatic disease in 17 cases. Even among 88 cases whose direct causes of death were unclear, 55 had cardiovascular abnormalities including myocardial hypertrophy and ischemic changes. No life-threatening abnormalities were found in 23 SUD cases, most of whom were men in their forties or younger. This study indicates that autopsy is helpful to reveal the cause of SUD. It also suggests cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of SUD of clinically unknown origin.

Autopsy↗
PubMed1999

[Renal angiomyolipoma with marked extrarenal development: a case report].

A 28-year-old female complained of minimal fever elevation. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a left renal tumor of 10 cm in diameter. Ultrasonogram and CT, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography suggested a renal angiomyolipoma (AML) with marked extrarenal development. Partial nephrectomy was performed using a microwave tissue coagulater without clamping of the renal artery. The tumor weight was 800 g and the pathological diagnosis was AML. The management of large AML is reviewed in the literature. Nephron sparing surgery should be performed even in patients who have a larger tumor with extrarenal development.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Effect of the consumption of ethanol on the microcirculation of the human optic nerve head in the acute phase].

PURPOSE: The effect of the consumption of ethanol on the circulation of the optic nerve head (ONH) in the human eye in the acute phase and its mechanism were studied. METHODS: Eleven volunteers drank a bottle of beer (633 ml) with or without ethanol (29.5 g). Normalized blur (NB), a quantitative index of blood flow velocity, was measured in the temporal site of the ONH. NB, blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) were measured before, immediately after, and every 15 minutes for 90 minutes after consumption. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and plasma ethanol concentration were measured before, and 30 and 90 minutes after consumption. Genotyping of the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 2 gene was also performed. RESULTS: NB in the ONH increased significantly from 15 to 45 minutes after consumption of ethanol and the maximum increase was 14% at 15 minutes. IOP was lowered at 90 minutes after consumption, but it was not significant. Mean BP was lowered significantly after 60 minutes. PR and ocular perfusion pressure did not change. A significant correlation was found between plasma ethanol concentration at 30 minutes and maximum NB. NB in the ALDH 2-deficient group was significantly larger from 15 to 45 minutes after consumption than in the proficient group. CONCLUSION: It appeared that the consumption of ethanol can increase the blood flow in the human ONH in the acute phase through decreased resistance in blood vessels induced by acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A soluble major histocompatibility complex class I peptide-binding platform undergoes a conformational change in response to peptide epitopes.

Class I major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) are heterotrimeric structures comprising heavy chains (HC), beta2-microglobulin (beta2-m), and short antigenic peptides of 8-10 amino acids. These components assemble in the endoplasmic reticulum and are released to the cell surface only when a peptide of the appropriate length and sequence is incorporated into the structure. The binding of beta2-m and peptide to HC is cooperative, and there is indirect evidence that the formation of a stable heterotrimer from an unstable HC:beta2-m heterodimer involves a peptide-induced conformational change in the HC. Such a conformational change could ensure both a strong interaction between the three components and also signal the release of stably assembled class I MHC molecules from the endoplasmic reticulum. A peptide-induced conformational change in HC has been demonstrated in cell lysates lacking beta2-m to which synthetic peptides were added. Many features of this conformational change suggest that it may be physiologically relevant. In an attempt to study the peptide-induced conformational change in detail we have expressed a soluble, truncated form of the mouse H-2Db HC that contains only the peptide binding domains of the class I molecule. We have shown that this peptide-binding "platform" is relatively stable in physiological buffers and undergoes a conformational change that is detectable with antibodies, in response to synthetic peptides. We also show that the structural features of peptides that induce this conformational change in the platform are the same as those required to observe the conformational change in full-length HC. In this respect, therefore, the HC alpha1 and alpha2 domains, which together form the peptide binding site of class I MHC, are able to act independently of the rest of the molecule.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Rainbow trout Sox24, a novel member of the Sox family, is a transcriptional regulator during oogenesis.

We isolated a cDNA clone encoding a novel SRY-type HMG box (Sox) protein, designated Sox24, from a rainbow trout ovary cDNA library. On the basis of the HMG box amino acid sequence, Sox24 can be categorized into the same subgroup of Sox proteins as SOX4, SOX11, and SOX22. The proteins in this group also share a highly conserved sequence at the C-terminus. The Sox24 mRNA is expressed at high levels in the ovary, and in-situ hybridization localized its expression to oocytes. The recombinant protein containing the Sox24 HMG box region bound to an AACAAT sequence strongly in a gel retardation assay. Upon co-transfection into CHO cells, the full-length Sox24 transactivated transcription from a reporter plasmid through the AACAAT binding motif. We used GAL4/Sox24 chimeras with the DNA binding domain of yeast GAL4 at the N-terminus to map the transactivation function to the C-terminal region, which included the conserved sequence. These results suggest that Sox24 plays a role as a transcriptional regulator during oogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

cDNA cloning of a novel rainbow trout SRY-type HMG box protein, rtSox23, and its functional analysis.

We have isolated a cDNA clone for a new member of Sox genes, termed rtSox23, from a rainbow trout ovary cDNA library. rtSox23 mRNA was notably expressed in ovary and brain. rtSox23 contains a leucine zipper in addition to an SRY-type HMG box. Although the recombinant HMG box region protein of rtSox23 could bind to an AACAAT sequence, the full-length rtSox23 could form a homodimer and did not bind to the sequence. Furthermore, using a two-hybrid system, we have isolated a cDNA clone encoding a protein that bound to the leucine zipper region of rtSox23. This protein was the rainbow trout homologue of mouse nucleoporin p62, which is a component of the nuclear pore complex in nuclear envelope. The rainbow trout p62 mRNA was also prominent in ovary and brain. Taken together, these results suggest that the rainbow trout p62 associates with rtSox23 in vivo and modulates the function of rtSox23.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

A new pseudo-peptide analogue of the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence inhibits liver metastasis of colon 26-L5 carcinoma cells.

We have investigated the effect of the pseudo-peptide analogue (FC-336) of the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence in a liver metastasis model by the inoculation of a highly liver-metastatic cell line of colon 26 carcinoma (colon 26-L5) into the portal vein of BALB/c mice. The intraportal injection of colon 26-L5 cells with FC-336 resulted in a marked suppression of liver metastatic colonies in a dose-dependent manner and it reduced the liver weights to a normal level. However, the co-injection of tumor cells with a high dose of RGDS tetrapeptide led to a slight inhibition of liver metastasis. The multiple i.v. administration of FC-336 after tumor inoculation as well as the injection of FC-336 with tumor cells caused significant inhibition of experimental metastasis in the liver. The multiple i.v. administration of the RGDS peptide did not show any inhibitory activity. FC-336 significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice compared with untreated controls when injected intraportally with tumor cells or when intravenously administered after tumor inoculation. Zymography analysis showed that FC-336 inhibited the degradation of gelatin substrate by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by colon 26-L5 cells, while RGDS peptide did not affect the enzymatic degradation. These findings clearly indicate that the pseudo-peptides of the RGD sequence (FC-336) have a potent inhibitory activity on liver metastasis of colon 26-L5 carcinoma cells.

Animals↗