Biomedical subjects

S Kokubun

Publications and source records attributed to S Kokubun.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Radiological and laboratory features of infantile cortical hyperostosis. A case report.

We describe a boy aged nine months with infantile cortical hyperostosis in association with cystic fibrosis. Symmetrical periosteal thickening was present in the clavicles, ribs, femora, humeri, ulnae and radii. Periosteal hyperostosis of the humerus developed in association with an increase in the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase a month before the appearance of hyperirritability and soft tissue swelling about the hip joints. The condition gradually resolved during the following eight months.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed1998

The long-term efficacy and tolerability of the new anti-inflammatory agent zaltoprofen in rheumatoid arthritis.

This paper reports on a non-comparative multicentre study designed to assess the usefulness of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent zaltoprofen in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The efficacy and safety of zaltoprofen in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated on the bases of changes of symptoms and presentation signs in the patients including the following: averaged bilateral grip strength, blood sedimentation rate, the duration of morning stiffness, joint pain for Lansbury scoring, restriction of activities of daily living (ADL) and pain score, and on patients' impressions at each hospital on the first day of attendance and then at 6 and 12 months after the start of administration of zaltoprofen, in a total of 46 patients. Overall improvements were recorded as 'marked' in 9%, 'moderate' or better in 60%, 'slight' or better in 80%, 'no change' in 17% and 'worse' in 3%, after 12 months' treatment. The overall safety was recorded as 'safe' in 86% and 'almost safe' or better in 97% after 12 months' treatment. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that, in the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, zaltoprofen is a well-tolerated and safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Changes in the expression of Fas, osteonectin and osteocalcin with age in the rabbit growth plate.

Chondrocytes of the growth plate are generally assumed to undergo apoptosis, but the mechanisms which induce this cell death are not known. The Fas receptor is a mediator of the apoptotic signal in some systems. We studied its expression in situ in growth plates of rabbits aged from five to 20 weeks. In addition, we investigated the immunolocalisation in the growth plates of the bone proteins, osteonectin and osteocalcin, and the changes in their expression with age. The Fas-positive chondrocytes were found mostly in the hypertrophic zone, as were the osteonectin-positive and osteocalcin-positive cells. The percentage of Fas-positive cells increased with age whereas little change was found in the number of osteonectin-positive and osteocalcin-positive chondrocytes. Many of the Fas-positive chondrocytes were also TUNEL-positive. This strongly suggests that apoptosis in the growth plate is mediated through the Fas system. Double immunostaining for osteocalcin and Fas showed that not all hypertrophic chondrocytes were of the same cell type. Some chondrocytes stained for osteocalcin only, others for Fas only, while some were positive for both.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Thoracic myelopathy in the Japanese: epidemiological and clinical observations on the cases in Miyagi Prefecture.

Surgeries for thoracic myelopathy for 7 years in a northeastern prefecture (population, 2.26 million) and surrounding areas were reviewed. Eighty-one residents in the prefecture were operated on. The annual operation rate per one million people was 5.1. The rate corresponded to 9% of that reported for cervical myelopathy in the same prefecture. The mean age at operation was 55 years. Fifty-five patients (68%) were male and 26 (32%), female. Twenty-eight % of the patients had preoperative periods longer than two years, and 23% had severe disabilities. Anterior decompression was performed in 27%, posterior decompression in the others. The postoperative recovery rate averaged 48%. The lowest rate was 31% in patients with a preoperative duration of more than 2 years (p < 0.05). Sixty-four % of the patients had ossification of the ligamentum flavum; 20%, posterior spur; 19%, disc herniation; 16%, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; 1%, calcification of the ligamentum flavum; 1%, degenerative spondylolisthesis. Seventy-nine % had one of the above spinal factors and 21% had two.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Myositis ossificans in the tip of the thumb: a case report.

A case of a myositis ossificans occurring in the distal portion of the finger is reported. An 18-year-old female noticed a small nodule in the tip of the left thumb for 11 months. Plain radiographs showed calcified shadow and there was a radiolucent zone between the mass and the distal phalanx. The excised mass was diagnosed as myositis ossificans. To our best knowledge, there has been no report of a myositis ossificans in the tip of the finger in literature.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Periosteal ganglion of the radius: a case report.

We report a case of 43-year-old female with a periosteal ganglion arising in the right radius. Plain radiographs showed thick and sparse spicula with shallow and irregular cortical erosion, which suggested periosteal ganglion. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a well circumscribed homogeneous lesion with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. No apparent enhancement observed after gadolinium injection suggested that the lesion was cystic. At operation, gelatinous material was removed together with the spicula, the surface of the cortex and the overlying periosteum. There was no clinical evidence of recurrence after three years of surgical treatment. MR imaging was thought to be useful to confirm the diagnosis of periosteal ganglion.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Flow cytometrical and genotypic analysis of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone.

Primary malignant lymphoma of bone presents both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. No previous study has addressed the use of flow cytometry in the immunophenotypic evaluations of bone lymphomas. A 41-year-old Japanese female presented with a large lytic lesion in the right femur. Biopsies from the lesion were examined by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, 3-color flow cytometry and Southern blotting. Microscopic examination showed a diffuse, noncleaved large cell lymphoma. The lymphoid cells were positive for mature B cell antigens and the phenotype was: CD5-, CD10-, CD19+, 20+, CD22+, IgG+, IgA-, IgM-, kappa-, lambda+, CD1-, CD2-, CD3-, CD4-, CD7-, CD8-. Southern blot analysis revealed rearranged bands on both heavy- and lambda light-chain genes, in contrast to germline configuration on T cell antigen receptor (beta, gamma and delta) genes. Flow cytometry, in conjunction with morphologic and other molecular techniques, can provide a rapid and accurate means of diagnosing primary lymphoma of bone. In addition, the capabilities of flow cytometry to assess cell properties/constituents can be utilized in detailed analysis of adhesion molecules and activation antigen which may lead to better prediction of the prognosis of this group of lymphomas, and may provide further important data for the therapeutic decision making process.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The signalling pathway which causes contraction via P2-purinoceptors in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle.

1. The signalling pathway which causes contractions to adenosine 5'-O-2-thiodiphosphate (ADPbetaS) and alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-diphosphate (alpha,beta-Me ADP) was investigated in rat urinary bladder smooth muscle by measuring isotonic tension. 2. The responses to 10 microM alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha,beta-Me ATP) in 0 and 3.6 mM Ca2+ were 5.9+/-1.3 (n=10) and 122.2+/-6.4 (n=8) % respectively of those obtained in 1.8 mM Ca2+, whereas those to 100 microM ADPbetaS were 34.6+/-3.3 (n=8) and 96.8+/-7.2 (n = 8) %, in 0 and 3.6 mM Ca2+, respectively. In both experimental conditions, the responses to the two agonists expressed as % of the control responses were significantly different (P<0.01). 3. Indomethacin at high concentrations (>1 microM) decreased the responses to alpha,beta-Me ATP (10 microM), ADPbetaS (100 microM) and alpha,beta-Me ADP (100 microM). However, no significant difference was obtained between the responses to all the agonists at 30 microM indomethacin. 4. 2-Nitro-4-carboxphenyl n,n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC) at concentrations between 1 microM and 100 microM concentration-dependently decreased the responses to ADPbetaS (100 microM) and alpha,beta-Me ADP (100 microM) and almost completely inhibited them at 100 microM. Although the responses to alpha,beta-Me ATP (10 microM) were also inhibited by the drug, at 50 and 100 microM NCDC the responses to alpha,beta-Me ATP were significantly larger than those to ADPbetaS and alpha,beta-Me ADP (P<0.01). 5.NCDC 100 microM significantly inhibited the KCl-induced contraction to 65.9+/-4.9% (n=6) of the control (P<0.01). 6. It is suggested that the contraction via ADPbetaS-sensitive receptors in the rat urinary bladder smooth muscle mainly depends on Ca2+ ions liberated from intracellular Ca2+ stores, though the contribution of Ca2+ ions from the extracellular space cannot be neglected. The release of Ca2+ ions from stores is mainly mediated by the production of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) via the activation of phospholipase C.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Clinical evaluation of indomethacin-containing patches for osteoarthritis and extremity trauma.

Seventy-eight patients, aged 12-87 years, with osteoarthritis or extremity trauma, attached one indomethacin patch (containing 96 mg indomethacin) to the most symptomatic site twice daily. The final overall treatment outcome was excellent in 52% of the osteoarthritic patients and in 82% of the trauma patients, good in 27% and 13%, and fair in 3% and 0%, respectively. Side effects were reported by 4% of the patients. It is concluded that indomethacin-containing patches were effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of osteoarthritis and extremity trauma.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1997

Apoptosis and proliferation of growth plate chondrocytes in rabbits.

The growth plates of the femoral head of Japanese white rabbits aged 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks were stained for apoptotic and proliferating chondrocytes using the TUNEL and PCNA antibody staining techniques. Both TUNEL- and PCNA-positive chondrocytes were detected in all of the specimens. The positive ratios of both stainings were calculated for the whole plate and for the resting, proliferating and hypertrophic zones. The highest ratios in both stainings occurred in the hypertrophic zone in all age groups. With growth, the TUNEL-positive ratio increased whereas the proliferating ratio decreased. We suggest that the increase in chondrocytic death by apoptosis and the decrease in cell proliferation potential led to closure of the growth plate.

Aging↗

PubMed1997

The effect of extracellular Ca2+ on responses to purinoceptor agonists in cultured swine tracheal smooth muscle cells.

The effects of extracellular Ca2+ ions on purinergic responses were examined in swine tracheal smooth muscle cells (TSMCs) in primary culture. ATP (1 microM to 1 mM) and alpha, beta-methylene adenosine 5' triphosphate (alpha, beta-Me ATP) (100 microM and 1 mM) concentration-dependently increased [Ca2+]i in the presence and the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Responses to ATP (10 microM to 1 mM) in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ were significantly larger than those in its absence (n=8), whereas those to alpha, beta-Me ATP were not significantly different between the presence (n=7) and the absence (n=8) of extracellular Ca2+. Responses to ATP (1 mM) at extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) of 10 and 5 mM were significantly larger than that at extracellular EGTA concentration ([EGTA]o) of 1 mM (p< 0.01, n=5), whereas the responses to alpha, beta-Me ATP (1 mM) at 10 and 5 mM [Ca2+]o were significantly smaller than that at [EGTA]o of 1 mM (p<0.05, n=5). Increasing [Ca2+]o to 5 mM after the application of either 1 mM ATP (n=4) or 1 mM alpha, beta-Me ATP (n=4) in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (1 mM [EGTA]o) further increased [Ca2+]i, though the increases in [Ca2+]i by agonists in 1 mM [EGTA]o had been already maximal. Incubating cells for 300 s in 5 mM [Ca2+]o before the application of ATP (1 mM) significantly increased the response to the drug than that obtained by incubating cells for 6 sec in 5 mM [Ca2+]o before the drug application (p< 0.01, n=4). However, alpha, beta-Me ATP (1 mM) induced similar responses by incubating cells for 30 or 300 s in 5 mM [Ca2+]o to that by incubating them for 6 s. These results suggest that the effect of alpha, beta-Me ATP in swine TSMCs in primary culture is mainly through Ca2+ release and that its effect on Ca2+ entry is smaller than other nucleotides.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1997

Expression of CD34 in glomus tumors.

Immunohistochemical studies were performed in order to characterize glomus tumors. In all cases the glomus tumor cells stained positively for smooth muscle actin. In half of six cases, the glomus tumor cells weakly expressed desmin. They were not reactive with Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I and anti-Factor VIII-related antigen, whereas the only endothelial cells were reactive with them. The tumor cells as well as vascular endothelial cells amongst the tumor cells expressed CD34 in five of the cases.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Diffuse lipomatosis: imaging features.

A case of diffuse lipomatosis is reported. A 54-year-old man presented with a large mass in the left gluteal region. Plain radiographs showed hyperostosis of the phalanx of the left third toe. The diagnosis was aided by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography which clearly demonstrated a diffuse overgrowth of fatty tissue in the left buttock and the extremity involving the subcutaneous and gluteal muscular tissue.

Humans↗

PubMed1997

Paraparesis associated with mild congenital kyphoscoliosis in an adult.

A 48-year-old man suffering from paraparesis had congenital kyphoscoliosis due to fused wedged vertebrae between T2 and T4. The kyphoscoliosis consisted of left convex scoliosis measuring 26 degrees and kyphosis measuring 27 degrees. On CT-myelograms and axial MR images, the dura and spinal cord were deviated anterolaterally to the concave side of the curve around its apex. The spinal cord was stuck and flattened against the posterolateral margin of the vertebral body to the base of the pedicle with the posterior subarachnoid space preserved. Anterior decompression from the concave side through a transthoracic approach resulted in a remarkable neurological improvement. The paraparesis may have been caused by compression of the spinal cord through a tethering effect due to its developmental tightness around the apical vertebra and the additional tension created by motions of the neck.

Decompression, Surgical↗

PubMed1997

[Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in joint tissues of rapidly destructive coxarthropathy (RDC), analyzed by immunohistochemical study].

OBJECTIVE: Rapidly destructive coxarthropathy (RDC) is characterized by rapid destruction of hip joints, but its pathogenetic mechanism is still obscure. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are possibly one of the candidates concerning with this mechanism. We attempted histochemical investigation to demonstrate MMPs and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in joint tissues obtained from RDC patients to clarify their roles in the destruction mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Joint tissues including synovia and cartilage-bone tissues were obtained from RDC patients at total hip replacement (THR). After fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde, cartilage-bone tissues were partly decalcified. We performed histochemical study for paraffin sections of these tissues by using avidin-biotin method. Antibodies used in this study were monoclonal antibodies to MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and polyclonal antibody to MMP-3. RESULTS: Histological feature of RDC was severe destruction of cartilage and bone by invasion of non-specific granulation tissues composed of many small vessels, macrophages and fibroblastic cells. At the same time, RDC showed apparently fewer lymphocytic cells in these granulation tissues compare with rheumatoid arthritis. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were expressed most demonstrably in synovia and destructive regions of femoral heads, especially in osteoclasts, macrophages, and fibroblastic cells, while MMP-1, MMP-3, were slightly expressed only in the superficial layer of synovia in limited cases. MMP-8, usually contained in neutrophils, was not present in RDC. On the other hand TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were presented throughout the synovia and destructive regions of femoral heads including fibroblastic cells, macrophages, osteoblasts and osteocytes. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical study revealed obvious presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in synovia and destructive regions of femoral heads in RDC. Those evidence suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 share very important role in the destructive mechanism of RDC, possibly under imbalance between TIMPs.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Cartilaginous endplate in cervical disc herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: Cervical herniated disc tissue obtained at surgery for myelopathy and intervertebral discs from autopsy cases were examined histologically. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the characteristic histology of cervical disc herniation and the processes by which herniated masses are produced. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Except for nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosus, no other disc tissue has been described histologically in the cervical spine. METHODS: Twenty-one herniated cervical discs from 20 surgical cases (patients aged 37-68 years) and mid-sagittal slabs of 135 cervical discs from 41 autopsy cases (aged 20-85 years) were examined histologically. RESULTS: All the surgical specimens had cartilaginous endplate fragments together with nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosus. Of the autopsy disc specimens, 61% had a horizontal cleft longer than two thirds of the anteroposterior diameter of the disc, and 49% had one or more vertical clefts extending to the cartilaginous endplate. Thirty-three percent showed separation of the cartilaginous endplate, and 15% had a herniated mass including parts of the cartilaginous endplate. These abnormal features increased with aging. The same order of decreasing frequency from horizontal cleft formation through herniation was observed in all decades. CONCLUSIONS: The cartilaginous endplate-type of herniation is the predominant type of herniation in the cervical spine. It results from horizontal and vertical cleft formations of the disc.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Tumoral calcinosis in the upper cervical spine: a case report.

STUDY DESIGN: An elderly women with tumoral calcinosis between the C1 posterior arch and the C2 lamina is reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe a rare occurrence of tumoral calcinosis in the spine and discuss its pathomechanism. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Tumoral calcinosis is a rare condition occurring predominantly in the juxtaarticular regions of the extremities. Involvement of the spine has been reported in only one case in the lumbar spine. The calcium phosphate crystals that have been identified are those of hydroxyapatite. METHODS: The calcified material was removed, and its crystalline phase was analyzed. RESULTS: Neck pain was relieved by removal of the calcified material. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis revealed that the material consisted of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate. CONCLUSIONS: Tumoral calcinosis should be included among the clinical presentations of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Cervical myelopathy in the Japanese.

Surgeries (1155 cases) for cervical myelopathy in a northeastern prefecture (population, 2.26 million) and surrounding areas were reviewed. The annual operation rate per 100,000 residents in the prefecture was 5.7. Most of the patients were in their sixth or seventh decade of life (27% each), but the annual operation rate per 100,000 people of each decade of age was the highest in the eighth decade (16.5 per 100,000 people). At the largest spine center, 41% of 306 patients had a preoperative disease period of more than 1 year, and 65% had severe disabilities. Anterior and posterior compression were about equally chosen. The former, mainly indicated for younger adults and single- or 2-level spinal cord compression, led to better functional improvement. Laminoplasty (93%) was predominant over laminectomy. Forty percent of the patients had developmental stenosis; 48%, dynamic stenosis; 27%, disc herniation; 11%, segmental ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; 9%, continuous ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; 8%, posterior spur; and 4%, calcification of the ligamentum flavum. Fifty-two percent had more than 1 of these spinal diseases.

Adult↗