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Biomedical subjects

S Konno

Publications and source records attributed to S Konno.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Genetic polymorphisms at FCER1B and PAI-1 and asthma susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: We previously detected a promoter polymorphism (- 109C/T) in the gene for the beta-chain of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FCER1B), which was associated with total serum IgE levels but not with asthma in a Japanese population. A genetic interaction is biologically plausible between FcepsilonRI-beta and the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which is highly expressed in mast cells in asthmatics and plays an essential role in airway remodelling. We hypothesized that FCER1B promoter polymorphisms, by modifying the intensity of mast cell activation signals, modulate the genetic effects of a functional 4G/5G polymorphism in the PAI-1 gene on asthma. OBJECTICIVE: To examine whether FCER1B promoter polymorphisms (- 109C/T and - 654C/T) influence the genetic effects of the functional polymorphism (4G/5G) at the PAI-1 promoter region on asthma susceptibility using a case-control analysis. METHODS: Subjects (374 asthmatic patients and 374 non-asthmatic controls) were divided into combined genotype groups based on the presence of FCER1B - 109TT and - 654CC genotypes and the PAI-1 4G allele. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for asthma associated with the different genotype groups. RESULTS: Individuals homozygous for the FCER1B - 109T/ - 654C haplotype and the PAI - 1 5G allele had a reduced susceptibility to asthma; the odds ratio for the development of asthma was 0.20 (95% confidence interval, 0.084 - 0.46; P = 0.00015) for them, compared with individuals also homozygous for the - 109T/- 654C haplotype at FCER1B but carrying the 4G allele at PAI-1. The regression model also showed an interaction of the PAI-1 4G/5G genotype with the FCER1B-109C/T (P for interaction = 0.0017) or FCER1B-654C/T (P for interaction = 0.031) on asthma. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest a synergistic interaction between FCER1B and PAI-1 genes in asthma susceptibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Sequence variants of the secreted phosphoprotein 1 gene are associated with total serum immunoglobulin E levels in a Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is a cytokine with pleiotrophic immunological activities, including activation of macrophage chemotaxis and T-helper type 1 (Th1) immune responses. SPP1 gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with several immune inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), which is characterized by fewer allergic symptoms and lower numbers of allergen sensitizations. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined whether SPP1 gene polymorphisms are associated with total serum IgE levels, atopy and asthma in a Japanese population. METHODS: This case-control association analysis examined 611 subjects, including 268 subjects with asthma. We genotyped three promoter and two exon polymorphisms at SPP1: -1687A/G; -381T/C; -94 deletion/G; 5891C/T; and 7052T/C. Results Association analyses of SPP1 polymorphisms showed that homozygosities for the 5891T allele (P=0.009) and 7052C allele (P=0.001) were significantly associated with increased levels of total IgE in non-asthmatic subjects. However, these variants were not associated with asthma and atopy. Interestingly, individuals carrying the 5891C allele, which is more prevalent in patients with MS in Japanese populations, displayed significantly lower levels of total serum IgE. Individuals homozygous for the 7052C allele, which is associated with development of systemic lupus erythematosus, displayed significantly higher total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms in SPP1 may play a role in controlling basal levels of total serum IgE, independent of atopy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Complications after proximal gastrectomy with jejunal pouch interposition: report of a case.

We report a rare case of proximal gastrectomy complication as a result of a severe dilatation of a jejunal pouch interposed for reconstruction. A 44-year-old man who had early gastric cancer underwent proximal gastrectomy with a jejunal pouch interposition at our department. Fourteen months after the procedure, he began to complain of left hypochondrial fullness and reflux symptoms. He had difficulty eating and his quality of life (QOL) was markedly impaired. Barium meal revealed severe dilatation of the jejunal pouch. Decompression using a stomach tube and other measures only achieved temporary improvement. 4.5 years later, the dilated jejunal pouch was resected together with apyloroplasty and double tract reconstruction. Six months after this secondary surgery, the patient recorded no further complications. Food intake increased and QOL improved.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Effect of the alternative magnetic stimulation on peripheral circulation for regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine for patients with peripheral atherosclerosis attracts considerable attention around the world. However, ethical problems persist in gene therapy. This study evaluates the effect of alterative magnetic stimulation on peripheral circulation. The effect of magnetic stimulation as a medical treatment was examined using a thermograph for 11 healthy volunteers. The thermograph was used to measure the rise in skin temperature. The experimental results suggested an improvement in the peripheral circulation. The results of our study suggest the effectiveness of alternative magnetic stimulation on atherosclerosis. We intend to extend our study in order to establish a methodology for regenerative medical treatment for patients with peripheral atherosclerosis. Further, we wish to advance the current research in the field of angiogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) for the monitoring of the atherosclerosis after heart transplantation.

Atherosclerosis has been reported to progress rapidly after heart transplantation. A quantitative diagnosis is required for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis after heart transplantation. In this study, we compared brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) for the diagnosis. The average values of both baPWV and CAVI in the seven cases after heart transplantation were found to be signif-icantly large in comparison to the average values of the normal healthy people of the same age group. When comparisons were made before and after the heart transplantation in a particular case, CAVI was stable and baPWV changed sharply. A lot of parameters such as blood pressure, blood volume, etc. have been reported to influence baPWV. The results of this study suggested that CAVI was a stable parameter in comparison to baPWV even after heart transplantation. Thus, CAVI may be useful in the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis after heart transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Chaos analysis of electro encephalography and control of seizure attack of epilepsy patients.

In order to evaluate the EEG of patients with epilepsy, chaos analysis was performed for the subdural EEG time series data. The chaos attractor was reconstructed in the phase space and the correlation dimension. KS entropy calculated from the Lyapunov exponents was evaluated. Before the seizure attack, the KS entropy showed a lower value when compared with the time series data recorded during healthy condition. The results of our study suggest that it is possible to predict the seizure attack by the chaos analysis of the EEG signal. Further, we aim at developing an automatic control system for predicting a seizure attack by the use of local cooling of the focus with Peltier elements.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Indomethacin blocks the nucleus pulposus-induced effects on nerve root function. An experimental study in dogs with assessment of nerve conduction and blood flow following experimental disc herniation.

Inflammatory mechanisms have been suggested to be involved in the basic pathophysiologic events leading to nerve root injury after local application of nucleus pulposus. To assess if these nucleus pulposus-induced effects could be blocked by anti-inflammatory treatment, 41 dogs were exposed to either incision of the L6-7 disc to induce experimental disc herniation with (n=12) or without (n=14) indomethacin treatment per os (5 mg/kg per day), and no incision with (n=5) or without (n=10) indomethacin. Intraneural blood flow and nerve conduction velocity were assessed after 7 days to evaluate the degree of nerve injury. Disc incision induced a reduction in nerve root and dorsal ganglion blood flow as well as nerve function, similarly to previous studies. However, simultaneous treatment with indomethacin efficiently blocked the negative effects on both blood flow and nerve conduction but had no effects per se. The present study thus indicates that inflammatory mechanisms may be of relevance in the pathophysiology of nucleus pulposus-induced nerve root injury and thereby also for sciatica.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Does eradication of Helicobacter pylori reduce the risk of carcinogenesis in the residual stomach after gastrectomy for early gastric cancer? Comparison of mucosal lesions in the residual stomach before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: After partial gastrectomy, the mucosa of the residual stomach usually undergoes severe changes, and these lesions are known to be pre-cancerous. Recently, Helicobacter pylori has been highlighted as an agent that induces such mucosal alterations. In the present study, we evaluated whether eradication of H. pylori reduced the risk of carcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 12 patients who underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis for early gastric cancer and were positive for H. pylori. We performed endoscopy and biopsy both before and after H. pylori eradication therapy to assess changes in the gastric mucosa. RESULTS: After eradication therapy, no mucosal edema or erythema was detected. On histological examination, mononuclear cell infiltration had decreased and there was complete absence of neutrophil infiltration. The Ki-67 labeling index and the tissue IL-8 level had also decreased significantly, compared with before eradication. CONCLUSION: Before H. pylori eradication, the mucosa of the residual stomach may be at high risk of carcinogenesis due to induction of mucosal damage and active gastritis by H. pylori. Such changes were almost completely normalized by eradication therapy, so the eradication of H. pylori may reduce the risk of H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis in patients who have undergone gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
PubMed2004

Elemental diet modulates the growth of Clostridium difficile in the gut flora.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Tube feeding is regarded as a risk factor for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Recently, we reported that C. difficile toxin was frequently found in patients receiving an elemental diet. The present study was conducted to clarify whether elemental diets are associated with the growth of C. difficile in the gut flora. METHODS: C. difficile was cultured for 72 h in various concentrations of elemental diet containing 3% thioglycollate, and the growth rate or activity of C. difficile was evaluated by Gram stain or by measuring optical density at 560 nm. Faecal samples from 10 healthy adults were cultured in elemental diet + 3% thioglycollate. RNA was extracted from faeces with glass powder, which can eliminate PCR inhibitors, and mRNA of C. difficile toxin B was measured by reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: Maximum OD560 value during culture in thioglycollate-containing elemental diet was 2.4 times higher than that in thioglycollate alone (P = 0.0163). Viability of C. difficile was decreased in thioglycollate but not in thioglycollate-containing elemental diet. Toxin B mRNA was detected in five faecal samples (50%) before culture and in all samples after culture. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an elemental diet can modulate the growth of C. difficile in the gut flora.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Autoimmune thyroid disease accompanied by recurring episodes of painful thyroid ameliorated by thyroidectomy.

A 71-yr-old female initially presented with clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism with high TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) titers. Histological findings of the thyroid revealed hyperplasia with a focal germinal center, indicating Graves' disease and mild focal chronic thyroiditis. Four episodes of painful and tender thyroid occurred over the next 2 yr accompanied by acute inflammatory reactions. The first episode that developed while the patient was in a hyperthyroid state was soon followed by hypothyroidism associated with further increases in anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) and TPOAb titers. The subsequent 3 episodes occurred during the hypothyroid state, when the TGAb titer progressively increased with each episode. We performed subtotal thyroidectomy to prevent further episodes. Specimens obtained at thyroidectomy showed that extreme fibrosis had replaced the thyroid parenchyma with collapsed follicles and moderate lymphocyte infiltration. No further episodes occurred after thyroidectomy, and during a 3-yr follow-up period, TBII and thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb) disappeared and TGAb and TPOAb titers decreased. This case report provides further evidence supporting the notion that thyroid epithelial destruction progresses during relatively short periods of recurrent painful thyroid and that thyroidectomy helps patients affected by this condition that are unresponsive to other treatment strategies.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of thymidine phosphorylase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in gastric carcinoma.

We have reported that thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) is identical to platelet derived-endothelial cell growth factor and that it has an angiogenic activity in vitro and in human carcinoma tissues as well as gastric carcinoma. Recently, we revealed that dThdPase may have an another function(s) besides angiogenesis in vitro and in human solid tumors. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined retrospectively whether the expression of dThdPase was correlated with tumor growth, comparing it with the proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA LI) and examining their prognostic significance in 116 patients with gastric carcinoma. A direct correlation of these two factors was observed (R=0.659, P<0.001). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that both dThdPase positivity and PCNA LI were independent prognostic factors, as were depth of invasion and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, the patients with dThdPase-positive/high PCNA LI tumors had the worst prognoses. The combination of dThdPase and PCNA expression is a better tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoma than the expression of either of them alone. These results raise the possibility that dThdPase may have a function(s) involved in tumor growth besides angiogenesis.

Adult↗