Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to M Kondo.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Normal values of retinal response densities in multifocal electroretinogram].

Multifocal electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded from 21 normal eyes to investigate the spatial distribution and inter-individual variation of local cone responses. To compensate for the effect of refractive lenses, test distances were adjusted to obtain a constant magnification on the retina. Significant nasal-temporal asymmetry was observed near the fovea with higher response densities in the temporal retina along the horizontal meridian. No significant supero-inferior asymmetry was observed along the vertical meridian. The average coefficient variation (standard deviation/average) of retinal response density for all areas was 0.35. In the clinical application of the multifocal ERG these results must be taken into consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The long-term results of the irradiation therapy for the dural arteriovenous malformation].

Although radiotherapy has been used to treat non-neoplastic vascular diseases, it is not widely accepted as a standardized treatment for dural arteriovenous malformations (DAVM). The uncertainties regarding the therapeutic outcome and the benign nature of DAVM are the major factors that limit the indication of radiotherapy. In an attempt to assess the long-term benefits and risks of the treatment, we analyzed 24 patients with DAVM treated with radiotherapy. The cavernous sinuses were involved in 12 and the transversesigmoid sinuses in 12. Doses ranging from 10 to 56 Gy (median 44.9 Gy) were delivered by multiple fractionation. In terms of clinical improvement, complete response was achieved in 19 patients and partial response in five. Four patients had recurrence of symptoms; two patients were reirradiated with the result of good symptomatic relief, one patient was successfully treated with transarterial embolization and the other patient with less disabling symptoms was managed conservatively. No adverse side effects attributed to radiation were encountered during the follow-up period of 0.5-17 years (median 8.5 years). Radiotherapy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of DAVM and is warranted in patients who are unsuitable for transarterial embolization or surgical procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Six patients with pneumonitis related to blended Chinese traditional medicines].

We encountered six patients with pneumonitis related to blended chinese traditional medicine (Kampo). The duration of treatment with kampo ranged from 14 to 110 days (mean: 38 days). The most common complaints were dyspnea, fever, and dry coughing. Fine crackles were heard at the bases of both lungs. Abnormal laboratory findings included high values of C-reactive protein and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase in all patients, lactate dehydrogenase in 5 patients, and eosinophil count in 1 patient. Chest X-ray films and CT films revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular interstitial shadows with consolidation in both lung fields in 3 patients and pleural effusion in 1 patient. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done in 4 patients; examination of the lavage fluid showed lymphocyte alveolitis, either pure or associated with neutrophilia and eosinophilia in 3 patients. Inverted CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratios were found in 3 patients. Transbronchial lung biopsy was done in 4 patients and specimens from 3 of those 4 showed organizing pneumonitis with thickening of alveolar septa. Lymphocyte stimulation tests were positive in 4 patients. Discontinuation of the drug (2 patients) or administration of corticosteroids (4 patients) was followed by rapid improvement. Patients being treated with kampo preparations should be observed for signs and symptoms of drug-induced pneumonitis.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Electrophysiological findings in patients with Oguchi's disease.

Seven patients with Oguchi's disease were examined by conventional full-field rod and cone electroretinograms (ERGs), spectral characteristic studies with photopically matched short- and long-wavelength stimuli (3 of the 7 patients) and electrooculogram (EOG) (6 patients). ON and OFF photopic ERG responses, recorded with rectangular stimuli, in 3 patients were compared with those of 13 normal subjects and 13 patients with complete congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB). Conventional full-field ERGs recorded after 30 minutes of dark adaptation revealed absent rod, but essentially normal cone and flicker ERGs in all patients. With the dark-adapted standard flash ERG, the a-wave amplitude was significantly lower than normal in all patients. The spectral characteristic study indicated that the ERG recorded after 30 minutes of dark adaptation represented cone activity. The EOG was abnormal in all patients examined. The ON and OFF responses of the photopic ERG were normal in Oguchi's disease patients; however the ON responses were reduced in patients with complete CSNB. The absence of a rod a-wave, with the abnormal EOG, strongly suggests that the rod itself is abnormal in Oguchi's disease. This finding differs from the report by Carr and Gouras (1965) and Carr and Ripps (1967). The normal ON and OFF responses in the photopic ERGs of Oguchi's disease patients contrast with those of the complete CSNB patients in whom only the ON response is reduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Effect of macrophage colony-stimulating factor on complement receptors and complement regulatory proteins on human peripheral white blood cells].

The effect of M-CSF and C5a on the expression of complement-related membrane proteins on the peripheral white blood cells was investigated. M-CSF or C5a was added into the suspension of the peripheral white blood cells. The expression of the complement receptors, CD35 (CR1) and CD11b/18 (CR3), and inhibitory membrane proteins, DAF and MCP, was measured by flow cytometry. M-CSF increased CR3 on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and CR1, CR3, MCP and DAF on monocytes. C5a increased CR1, CR3 and DAF on PMNs, but did not affect the expression of those on monocytes. It is concluded that M-CSF possessed the activity of increase expression of both complement regulatory proteins and complement receptors of monocytes and C5a selectively affected the expression of those on PMNs.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effect of a novel histamine H2 receptor antagonist, IT-066, on acute gastric injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats, and its antioxidative properties.

The effect of a novel histamine H2 receptor antagonist IT-066 (3-amino-4-[4-[4-(1-piperidinomethyl)-2-pyridyloxy]-cis-2-++ +butenylamino]- 3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione hydrochloride), on acute gastric mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion was investigated from the standpoint of oxygen radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in rats. Ischemia-reperfusion injury was produced in the rat stomach by applying a small vascular clamp to the celiac artery for 30 min and subsequent removal of the clamp for 60 min. The decrease in gastric mucosal blood flow was not influenced by treatment with IT-066. The antiulcer activity of IT-066 was demonstrated in this injury after intragastric ingestion as well as after intravenous injection. IT-066 significantly inhibited this injury in the presence of exogenous HCl. The mucosal protection by IT-066 was not reversed by pretreatment with indomethacin or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The increase in lipid peroxides in the gastric mucosa after ischemia-reperfusion was significantly inhibited by the intragastric treatment with IT-066 at doses of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg. The total area of erosions closely paralleled the accumulation of lipid peroxide with a significant correlation. A spin trapping method using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide showed that IT-066 scavenged superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system and the hydrogen peroxide-ferrous iron system, respectively. IT-066 also significantly inhibited the in vitro increase of lipid peroxide in the gastric mucosal homogenates induced by a free radical initiator. These results suggest that the protective effect of IT-066 against ischemia/reperfusion-induced gastric mucosal injury may result in part from its antioxidative properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Organ-specific patterns of donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity and peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism in lung, kidney, and liver transplant recipients.

Although their relative importance and interaction are unclear, donor antigen(Ag)*-specific hyporeactivity and allogeneic microchimerism have been associated with improved long-term graft outcome and a lower incidence of chronic rejection in solid organ transplant recipients. We have postulated that a critical level of donor antigen, for a critical time period, is necessary to develop and maintain donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity; both the level and the time may differ by organ transplanted. In our current study, we tested donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity and peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism in liver and kidney recipients and compared these values with our previous findings in lung recipients. We tested 25 liver recipients at 12 to 29 months posttransplant: 10 (40%) had developed donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity; 5 (20%), peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism. For all but 1 of the chimeric and hyporeactive recipients, the level of donor cells was very low (< 1:20,000). Five hyporeactive recipients and all 15 donor antigen-responsive recipients did not have detectable levels of peripheral blood microchimerism. No chronic rejection has developed in any of these recipients to date--however, a lower incidence of acute rejection was observed for those recipients with donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity (30% versus 60% without) or with peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism (20% versus 55% without) (P = ns). These results differ from our previous findings in 19 lung recipients: at 12 to 18 months posttransplant, 35% of them had developed donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity; 47%, peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism. All donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity recipients as well as some donor antigen-responsive recipients had peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism. We expanded our current study to include 26 recipients and a quantitative estimate of the level of allogeneic microchimerism. We observed that the hyporesponsive recipients tended to have higher levels of donor cells in their peripheral blood (> 1:6,000) than did the responsive recipients. We previously reported that 22% of kidney recipients had developed donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity at 12 to 18 months posttransplant. In our current study of 33 kidney recipients, we observed peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism in 7 (21%) at 12 to 18 months posttransplant. The level of donor cells was very low (approximately 1:75,000), with no correlation between donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity and peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism at the time point tested. These studies emphasize the organ-specific nature of the development of donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity and the persistence of peripheral blood allogeneic microchimerism. Donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity correlates with very low levels of donor cells in liver recipients, while a higher critical level of donor cells is important in lung recipients. Additional sequential early posttransplant studies are necessary to further define the possible interrelationship between donor antigen and the development and maintenance of donor antigen-specific hyporeactivity.

Antigen Presentation↗
PubMed1995

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive serum cholinesterase to differentiate liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.

We have established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for total serum cholinesterase (ChE) using 2 new monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to ChE (E.C.3.1.1.8). The ELISA results correlated very well with the results of a serum ChE activity assay, which has been widely used for differentiating patients with liver diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, from normal individuals. We next established an ELISA for Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL)-reactive serum ChE using one of the anti-ChE mAbs and AAL, which specifically recognizes L-fucose alpha 1-->2, L-fucose alpha 1-->3, and L-fucose alpha 1-->6 structures. The ratio of AAL-reactive ChE to total ChE in sera determined by the two ELISA procedures was increased in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis compared with patients with chronic hepatitis and normal individuals. We then applied the ELISA for AAL-reactive ChE directly to 10-fold-diluted serum samples, and by using a cut-off value of the mean + 2S.D. for normal individuals, we could effectively differentiate liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis. This single ELISA for AAL-reactive ChE could be a useful aid in clinical diagnosis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1995

Tachykinins stimulate nitric oxide generation by canine cultured tracheal epithelium.

We studied the effects of tachykinins on the generation of nitric oxide (NO) from canine cultured tracheal epithelial cells using a specific amperometric sensor for this molecule. Immersion of the NO-selective electrode in the medium bathing the cells detected the baseline current of 30.5-61.7 pA, which corresponded to NO concentration ([NO]) at 44.0 +/- 7.6 nM (mean +/- S.E.M.). Substance P (SP, 10(-6) M) increased the current from 51.3 +/- 9.8 to 73.6 +/- 11.4 pA (P < 0.001), an effect that was not affected by NG-nitro-D-arginine methylester, but inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester by 83 +/- 9% (P < 0.001), and this inhibition was restored by the subsequent addition of L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. SP and neurokinin A (NKA) increased [NO] in a dose-dependent manner, the maximal increases from the baseline level being 71.0 +/- 14.9 and 33.4 +/- 8.5 nM, respectively (P < 0.001 for each), whereas neurokinin B (NKB) had no effect. In the presence of phosphoramidon, the response of each tachykinin was augmented, but the rank order of potency was still NKA > SP >> NKB. These results suggest that NO is spontaneously released from airway epithelium and that tachykinins stimulate epithelial NO generation via NK2 receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Nitric oxide modulation of Ca2+ responses in cow tracheal epithelium.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of Ca2+ -dependent airway epithelial function such as ciliary motility. In this experiment, the effect of NO on intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]1) was studied in cultured cow tracheal epithelium by the fura-2 method. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, an NO synthase inhibitor, per se did not significantly alter baseline [Ca2-]i, but bradykinin- and ATP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i were significantly reduced in the presence of L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester. This inhibitory effect disappeared by a simultaneous addition of L-arginine. Sodium nitroprusside or dibutyryl cyclic GMP potentiated bradykinin- and ATP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. Cytochemistry for NADPH diaphorase activity revealed the presence of NO synthase in the cultured epithelium. These results suggest that NO produced by NO synthase in airway epithelium modulates bradykinin- and ATP-induced [Ca2+]i responses, which may be dependent on cyclic GMP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Bufotenine reconsidered as a diagnostic indicator of psychiatric disorders.

We have analyzed products of the serotonin-degradative pathway, in which both N-methylserotonin and bufotenine are formed in urine specimens of products with psychiatric disorders by three-dimensional HPLC with electrochemical detection. Bufotenine was detected in urine from all autistic patients with mental retardation and epilepsy (n = 18) and many autistic patients (32/47) with mental retardation. Bufotenine was detected in the urine of 15 of 18 patients with depression. Thirteen of 15 schizophrenic patients were also positive for bufotenine. N-methylserotonin was also detected in some cases of each disorder. Only two of 200 urine specimens from healthy controls were positive for bufotenine. Thus, the presence and levels of bufotenine might be useful and important markers of some psychiatric disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Role of nitric oxide in tachykinin-induced increase in potential difference of rabbit tracheal mucosa.

1. The effect of tachykinins on transepithelial potential difference (PD) of rabbit trachea and possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) generation in vivo were investigated. 2. Perfusion of tracheal mucosa with neurokinin A (NKA) or substance P (SP) dose dependently increased PD in the presence of amiloride, with the potency being NKA > SP, but neurokinin B (NKB) had no effect. 3. Application of NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, 10(-3) M) attenuated the NKA-induced increase in the amiloride-sensitive PD, causing a rightward displacement of the dose-response curve by approximately 1.0 log U, whereas NG-nitro-D-arginine methylester (D-NAME, 10(-3) M) did not. 4. The inhibitory effect of L-NAME was reversed by L-arginine (10(-2) M) but not by D-arginine (10(-2) M). 5. The release of NO was determined by a real-time measurement of NO concentration ([NO]) in the perfusate using specific amperometric sensors for this molecule. 6. NKA and SP increased [NO] in a dose-dependent manner, the maximal increase from the baseline value being 114 +/- 11 nM (mean +/- S.E.M., P < 0.001) and 54 +/- 6 nM (P < 0.01), respectively. 7. Histochemistry for NADPH diaphorase activity showed a strong staining within the epithelial cells. 8. We conclude firstly that tachykinins increase amiloride-sensitive PD in vivo, which probably reflects Cl- movement from the submucosa toward the respiratory lumen in tracheal mucosa, and secondly that NO generation by epithelial cells may be involved in this process.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1995

Control of the IL-2 responsiveness of B lymphocytes by IL-2 and IL-4.

A two-step culture system was used to analyze the parameters involved in the acquisition of IL-2 responsiveness by murine B cells. In the first culture, unstimulated, or resting, B cells prepared from spleen of naive animals were challenged during 48 h with IL-2, IL-4, anti-mu, anti-mu+IL-2, anti-mu+IL4, or anti-mu+IL-2 + IL-4. In a second culture, IL-2 responsiveness was followed by measuring either the cell proliferation or the Ig production. It was found that only B cells stimulated by anti-mu+IL-2 were able to respond. The expression of three chains of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R alpha, IL-2R beta, and IL-2R gamma) was studied by FACS. IL-2R beta and IL-2R gamma were found to be expressed constitutively on resting B cells. IL-2R alpha was induced by anti-mu and anti-mu+IL-2 treatment. Although B cells treated by anti-mu alone are not able to respond to IL-2, they do express an IL-2 binding capacity comparable with B cells treated by anti-mu+IL-2. This paradoxical result suggests that IL-2 has a direct influence on the acquisition of the IL-2 responsiveness. IL-4 exerts a negative effect on the IL-2 response. At the molecular level, IL-4 was found to reduce selectively the IL-2R beta expression at the B cell surface. This effect was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Maximum expression of the IL-2R beta mRNA is obtained after anti-mu+IL-2 treatment. In the presence of IL-4, expression of the IL-2R beta mRNA is greatly reduced.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in human colorectal cancer.

Several studies indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including indomethacin, aspirin, sulindac, and piroxicam reduce the risk of colon cancer. Furthermore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme were shown to inhibit the development of colon cancer in animal models of carcinogenesis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the enzymatic activity of both the constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) isoforms of COX enzyme. We have investigated the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 polypeptides in human colon cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry. Enhanced COX-2 expression was observed in colon cancer tissues from 15 subjects with clinically diagnosed colorectal cancer. Marked COX-2 expression was observed in cancer cells, inflammatory cells, vascular endothelium, and fibroblasts of the lesional tissues compared with the nonlesional and normal colon tissues. The extent and intensity of the immunoreactive COX-2 in cancer cells was much greater than that of the other cell types. In contrast, the expression of COX-1 polypeptide was weak in both normal and cancerous specimens. These data suggest that the enhanced expression of the COX-2 gene in colon cancer tissues may contribute to the enhanced synthesis of prostaglandin E2 by the colon cancer tissues. Enhanced expression of COX-2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of colon cancer. Furthermore, selective inhibition of COX-2 may prove to be more efficacious in the retardation of colon cancer development.

Adenocarcinoma↗