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Biomedical subjects

N Kondoh

Publications and source records attributed to N Kondoh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Effectiveness of long-term beta-blocker therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy--echocardiographical follow-up.

To evaluate the effectiveness of long-term beta-blocker therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), two groups (Group I: 18 patients, Group II: 17 patients) with DCM divided by the order at the entry were followed echocardiographically for 16.9 +/- 3.0 months in Group I and 21.4 +/- 3.9 months in Group II. Metoprolol (final dose: 60 mg/day) was administered in Group I, but not in Group II (the control), although the conventional treatment for heart failure was continued. The left ventricular end-systolic dimension and ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography improved significantly after 6 months in Group I, but not in Group II, even after 48 months, although there were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups. The end-diastolic dimension decreased significantly after 12 months in Group I only. It was estimated, using the point count method on a left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimen taken at entry, that the improvement (delta EF) of the ejection fraction 12 months after metoprolol administration inversely correlated (r = -0.677, p less than 0.01) with percent fibrosis, indicating that the more myocardium remains, the more improvement is expected. These findings suggested a favorable effect of beta blockade in DCM, especially in cases with less fibrosis, showing that the endomyocardial biopsy could be of clinical use in selecting candidates for chronic beta-blocker therapy in DCM.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1991

Effects of sodium butyrate on the rearranged c-myc expression in mouse plasmacytoma cells.

The expression of c-myc mRNA was examined after 4 h of sodium butyrate treatment in a mouse plasmacytoma (MPC) cell line (S194). Steady-state levels of rearranged c-myc mRNA were suppressed by the agent in S194 cells. Run-on assay demonstrated that the suppression of the rearranged c-myc mRNA in the MPC was correlated with the transcriptional downregulation of the gene. The suppression was also accompanied by the reduced DNase I sensitivity of the gene. These findings suggest that the rapid downregulation of c-myc mRNA by sodium butyrate is subject to regulation at the transcriptional level following the alteration of the DNase I sensitive chromatin structure in mouse plasmacytoma cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase by a benign testicular Leydig cell tumor.

We present an unusual case with bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumors displaying extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase. Histological examination of a 38-yr-old man infertile due to azoospermia showed him to have bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumors. The in vitro steroidogenic potential of the tumors and their adjacent testicular tissue was evaluated using organ culture. Tumor tissue was found to secrete deoxycorticosterone (DOC), corticosterone (B) and cortisol, which are not produced in normal adult testis, into the medium, while testicular tissue adjacent to the tumors secreted a small amount of DOC and B. Northern blot analysis with cytochrome P-450C21 complementary DNA (cDNA) and P-45011 beta cDNA as probes revealed that the tumor contained a considerable amount of mRNA for P-450C21 and P-45011 beta, while the MRNAs were not detected in the testicular tissues adjacent to the tumors. It is suggested that the high local levels of estrogen and/or progesterone within the Leydig cell tumors and their adjacent testicular tissues induced extraadrenal expression of steroid 21-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase by the tumors and their adjacent testicular tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Bilateral Leydig cell tumors and male infertility: case report.

A 38-year-old man with a complaint of male infertility due to azoospermia was found to have bilateral Leydig cell tumors. The tumors were synchronous, not clearly palpable and not diagnostic by ultrasonography. The serum level of estradiol was remarkably increased, and that of testosterone was above the normal upper limit. Tumors of 0.8 cm in diameter were detected by scrotal exploration, and findings of Leydig cell tumors in the bilateral testes were confirmed by histologic and electron-microscopic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Plasminogen activator in cultured cells of human undescended testis.

To know the secretory potential of Sertoli cells in pubertal testes of males who underwent orchiopexy at a prepubertal age, the plasminogen activator (PA) activity of 12 patients was measured in vitro and compared with that of pubertal testes of patients with varicocele. The assay system for PA activity was based on the solubilization of 125I-fibrin in the presence of plasminogen, and the PA activity in each patient was obtained as the maximum increment with stimulation by ovine FSH in the culture medium of testicular cells. The mean value of PA activity in patients after orchiopexy was remarkably lower than that in varicocele patients (p less than 0.005), which corresponded with histological differences in spermatogenesis between the two groups. These results suggest that in comparison to those patients with varicocele, the patients with prepubertal undescended testis showed impaired potential for protein biosynthesis despite successful orchiopexy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Detection of patients at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm by P wave-triggered signal-averaged electrocardiogram.

To determine whether patients at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could be detected while in sinus rhythm, the signal-averaged electrocardiogram triggered by P waves was recorded in 42 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Paf group) and in 50 control patients. The root mean square voltages (LP10, LP20, and LP30) for the last 10, 20, and 30 msec and the duration (Ad) of filtered (40-300 Hz) P wave of the spatial magnitude were measured. LP10 and LP20 were significantly lower in the Paf than in the control group (LP10, 1.92 +/- 0.58 versus 2.49 +/- 0.78 microV, p less than 0.001; LP20, 2.47 +/- 0.78 versus 3.46 +/- 1.20 microV, p less than 0.0001), although no significant difference in LP30 was found between groups. Ad was also significantly longer in the Paf than in the control group (137.0 +/- 14.3 versus 118.6 +/- 11.3 msec, p less than 0.001). These differences between the Paf and control groups remained significant even after dividing by the presence or absence of organic heart diseases. The criteria of "LP20 = 3.5 microV or less" and "Ad greater than 120 msec" as defining "atrial late potential" gave a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 76%. These findings suggest that patients at risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could be detected while in sinus rhythm by using the P wave-triggered signal-averaged electrocardiogram.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

[A case of infected solitary renal cyst treated with percutaneous puncture and drainage].

A 29-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with the chief complaint of high fever and right CVA tenderness. Treatment with antibiotics had not been completely effective in another hospital and she was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Computed tomographic (CT) scan and ultrasonogram showed a right renal cyst. Therefore, we punctured and drained continuously the infected renal cyst for 16 days by a transcutaneous route. At her 3-month postoperative evaluation by CT scan, the cystic space vanished completely. We reviewed 43 cases of infected solitary renal cyst including our case in the Japanese literature and discussed the etiology and the treatment modality of infected renal cyst.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Adrenal adenoma with bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumor: a case report].

A case of left adrenal adenoma with bilateral testicular Leydig cell tumor in a 38-year-old man is reported. He had received bilateral orchiectomy for testicular Leydig cell tumor at the age of 37. After operation computed tomography revealed left adrenal mass and aldosterone-secreting adrenal tumor was suspected. Left adrenalectomy was performed and histopathological diagnosis was adrenocortical adenoma. Serum ACTH, aldosterone and plasma renin activity were still high after operation. The adrenal cortex and gonads are of common embryologic origin and the histologic pattern may overlap. Examination of the adrenal gland is necessary for the patient with a testicular Leydig cell tumor.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1990

Transcriptional down-regulation of the rearranged C-myc expression in murine cell hybrids between a plasmacytoma and a T-cell lymphoma.

Regulation of the rearranged and non-rearranged c-myc expression was studied in murine cell hybrids (SBWI and SBWII) between plasmacytoma (S194) and T-cell lymphoma (BW5147) cells. Expression of the rearranged c-myc of heterogeneous mRNA sizes (1.8 approximately 2.4 kb) was markedly down-regulated in these hybrids regardless of retention of the gene. On the other hand, expression of the non-rearranged c-myc (2.4 kb) was not significantly affected in these hybrids. Treatment of SBWI hybrid cells with cycloheximide enhanced the non-rearranged c-myc 2- to 4-fold but did not release the down-regulation of the rearranged c-myc at all, suggesting that the down-regulation of the rearranged c-myc in the hybrid cells was mainly at a transcriptional rather than a post-transcriptional level. This was supported by the results of nuclear run-on assay: the high level of run-on transcripts in S194 cells declined in SBWI hybrid cells comparable to the level in BW5147 cells. The rearranged c-myc was hemi-methylated in S194 cells and the pattern was the same in SBWI hybrid cells. Furthermore, down-regulation of the rearranged c-myc in the hybrid was also not restored by treatment with 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or forskolin, suggesting no causative involvement of DNA methylation or protein phosphorylation in down-regulation. Higher DNase I sensitivity of the rearranged c-myc in S194 cells decreased to a similar extent to that of the non-rearranged c-myc after cell fusion with BW5147 cells. These results suggest that expression of the rearranged c-myc is down-regulated at the level of transcription in murine cell hybrids between a plasmacytoma and a T-cell lymphoma, probably by changing chromatin configuration around the gene from the open to the closed state.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Improvement of semen characteristics after surgical repair of bilateral testicular varicocele as compared to unilateral varicocele patients.

The operative treatment for surgical repair of bilateral testicular varicoceles was evaluated in terms of the improvement achieved in the sperm density and percentage progressive motile sperm. These parameters were compared for 27 cases of bilateral varicocele diagnosed by palpation and subjected to bilateral high ligation of the internal spermatic vein and for 40 cases of left unilateral testicular varicocele. There were no significant differences in preoperative values (such as sperm density; progressive motile sperm; serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone; and Johnson's score count) between the bilateral and unilateral testicular varicocele groups. The improvement in postoperative sperm density in the cases with bilateral testicular varicocele was apparently less satisfactory than in the cases with testicular varicocele only on the left side.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Testicular macromolecular synthesis in men with varicocele.

The synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein by varicocele testes with spermatogenic dysfunction was studied by examination of the levels of incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [14C]uridine, and [14C]leucine into the testicular tissue at 31 degrees C in vitro. The results suggest that DNA synthesis by the testis with moderate tubular damage is impaired whereas synthesis of RNA and protein is not. The cell regenerative ability of the testis with moderate tubular damage may be poor in spite of the preservation of testicular cell RNA and protein synthesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Testicular steroids in spermatic and peripheral veins after single injection of hCG in patients with varicocele.

To determine the function of Leydig cells in patients with varicocele, hCG-stimulated levels of progesterone (Prog), 17 alpha-Hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (17OHP), 4-Androstene-3,17-dione (A-dione), testosterone (T), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) in both spermatic and peripheral veins were measured. Seventy-two patients with idiopathic varicocele were divided into four groups: patients in group 1 were untreated, whereas patients in groups 2, 3, and 4 were given a single i.m. injection of 10,000 IU hCG 24 h, 96 h, and 168 h before surgery, respectively. In the spermatic and peripheral veins, levels of Prog, 17OHP, and E2 showed peaks at 24 h, whereas levels of A-dione and T showed peaks at 96 h. Significant increases in the ratios of spermatic veins 17OHP to A-dione and 17OHP to T, and a significant decrease in the ratio of T to E2, was found 24 h following hCG treatment. These results demonstrate that, following hCG injection, there is a transient inhibition of testicular C17-20-lyase activity, probably mediated by E2, even in subfertile males with varicocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Microsurgical transvaso-vasostomy.

We report a case of an infertile man treated successfully with microsurgical transvaso-vasostomy. The patient had a normal testicle with an obstructed vas deferens on one side and an atrophied testicle with a normal vas on the other side. We anastomosed the proximal vas from the functioning testicle to the opposite intact vas through the median scrotal raphe. As a result, the patient fathered a child 16 months after operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Correlative changes of plasma renin activity and serum testosterone in human internal spermatic vein after single administration of human chorionic gonadotropin.

To study changes in renin secretion from the human testis at various days after hCG treatment, plasma renin activity in the internal spermatic vein (ISV) and cubital vein (CV) was measured at the time of surgical repair of varicocele in 79 patients. Sixty-five of them were given a single administration of hCG (10,000 IU/m2) 1 to 10 days before operation. Although the mean PRA levels in CV in both treated and untreated groups were similar, the mean PRA levels in ISV obtained 1 to 5 days after hCG treatment were significantly higher than that in the untreated group. However, the mean PRA levels in ISV returned to that in the untreated group 6-10 days after treatment. Serum testosterone levels in the same ISV were also much higher 1 to 6 days after hCG treatment, compared with those in the untreated group. On the basis of these results it is concluded that (a) the secretion of renin from the testis into ISV can be demonstrated for 5 days after hCG treatment; (b) the parallel increases in PRA with testosterone in ISV seem to suggest a possible influence of androgen on renin production in Leydig cells of human testis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Reduced DNase I sensitivity of the rearranged c-myc gene in somatic cell hybrids between murine plasmacytoma cells and fibroblasts.

In mouse plasmacytoma (MPC) S194, the rearranged c-myc gene was much more sensitive to DNase I digestion than the nonrearranged gene. The sensitivity of the rearranged c-myc was markedly reduced to the same extent as that of the nonrearranged one in hybrids between the MPC cells and the fibroblasts, but not in a hybrid between the MPC and the spleen cells. These results suggest that trans-acting factors in fibroblasts alter the DNase I-sensitive structure of the rearranged c-myc gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

DNA and RNA synthesis by postpubertal undescended testis in vitro.

To study the spermatogenic potential of postpubertal undescended testis, the 3H-thymidine and 14C-uridine incorporations into normally descended and inguinal undescended testes were examined. The results suggest that DNA synthesis by the inguinal undescended testis is remarkably inhibited but, on the contrary, RNA synthesis is not. The cell-proliferative ability of postpubertal undescended testis may be impaired in spite of the retention of cell viability in the testis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Impaired DNA synthesis by early pubertal cryptorchid testis in vitro.

To study the spermatogenic potential of the early pubertal cryptorchid testis, testicular DNA synthesis was examined in vitro. DNA synthesis by early pubertal cryptorchid testis was inhibited and lost its normal temperature sensitivity. The spermatogenic potential of the cryptorchid testis may be impaired as early as puberty.

Cryptorchidism↗