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Biomedical subjects

S Konno

Publications and source records attributed to S Konno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Combined laminectomy and thoracoscopic resection of dumbbell-type thoracic cord tumor.

STUDY DESIGN: A study of five patients whose dumbbell or paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine were managed by using thoracoscopic surgery is reported. OBJECTIVES: To report on the use of combined laminectomy and thoracoscopic resection for the management of dumbbell-type thoracic cord tumor. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Some posterior mediastinal tumors can be resected safely with video-assisted thoracic surgery. However, there are few reports on thoracoscopic resection of dumbbell and paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine. METHODS: Five patients who received treatment for thoracic spine dumbbell tumors and paraspinal tumors were studied retrospectively. Three patients had dumbbell tumors, and two had paraspinal tumors of the thoracic spine. Preoperative evaluation of each patient included plain chest radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. All patients underwent total resection by means of a combined posteroanterior approach, with thoracoscopic surgery for dumbbell tumors and thoracoscopic surgery alone for paraspinal tumors. In all patients, a gross total resection was achieved with this approach. All patients were observed for a minimum of 3 years. RESULTS: All patients regained their ability to walk 2 days after surgery, except for one patient who had a hemothorax. A gross total tumor resection, documented by magnetic resonance imaging, was performed on all patients. Follow-up imaging at 6 weeks, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after surgery did not show residual tumor or recurrence in any patient. To date, spinal instability has not developed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Combined laminectomy and thoracoscopic surgery may be a good alternative method for managing thoracic dumbbell tumors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Role of cathepsin D in prostatic cancer cell growth and its regulation by brefeldin A.

We investigated a possible relationship between brefeldin A (BFA), an antibiotic, and cathepsin D (Cat.D), a lysosomal protease, in prostate cancer proliferation. Effects of BFA (30 ng/ml) were examined on the growth of three human prostatic cancer cell lines, PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP cells. Its effect on Cat.D in these cancer cells was assessed by Western blots and compared with Cat.D expressed in clinical prostate specimens (n = 55). BFA profoundly (> 70%) inhibited the growth of all three cancer cell lines. Western blots revealed that expression of procathepsin D (Pro.Cat.D) was markedly increased with BFA, whereas actively proliferating (control) cells greatly exhibited mature Cat.D. Analysis of prostate specimens then showed predominant Pro.Cat.D expression in non-cancerous tissues while also showing enhanced expression of mature Cat.D in all cancer specimens. Therefore, BFA-induced growth inhibition in prostatic cancer cells is associated with a blocking of Cat.D maturation (activation), suggesting a possible role of Cat.D in prostate cancer proliferation/development.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed2001

Glyoxalase I phenotype as a potential risk factor for prostate carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To elicit a possible link between glyoxalase I (Gly-I), a detoxifying enzyme, and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), we investigated Gly-I phenotypic expression in the prostatic tissue and red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with PCa. METHODS: Eighty-seven clinical specimens, including 42 PCa tissue samples, 20 RBC samples, and 25 matched pair (prostate and RBC) samples from patients at prostatectomy were examined. The Gly-I phenotypes in these specimens were assessed by nondenaturing starch-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients, 63 (72.4%) were white, 15 (17.2%) were black, and 9 (10.4%) were another ethnicity (eg, Hispanic, Asian, Indian). Three Gly-I phenotypes were detected in these specimens as fast, intermediate, and slow-moving bands on the gel. The fast phenotype was the most common form found in the white (34 [54%] of 63) and black (8 [53.3%] of 15) patients, but the third ethnic group was too small for proper analysis. To validate this finding, the data from the white patients were compared with the Gly-I phenotypic frequencies in U.S. populations. The data analysis confirmed that a higher incidence (54%) of the fast type in our white patients was statistically significant (P <0.0001) compared with its phenotypic frequency of 30.6% in the general U.S. white population. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly high frequency (P <0.0001) of the fast Gly-I phenotype was detected among patients with PCa, suggesting it is a potential risk factor for PCa. Whether its increased incidence in whites reflects the lack of sample numbers for other ethnic groups needs additional investigation.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2001

Increased total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma and promoter polymorphisms at CTLA4 and FCER1B.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that total serum IgE levels are largely determined by genetic factors, and we recently established that the -109C/T promoter polymorphism at FCER1B is a genetic factor that affects total serum IgE levels. The gene encoding cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) is another candidate factor in high IgE responsiveness, because B7-CD28/CTLA4 interaction can promote the differentiation and development of the T(H)2 lymphocyte subset. OBJECTIVE: We intended to determine whether CTLA4 is associated with increased levels of total serum IgE or with the development of asthma or atopy. METHODS: We performed a case-control study involving 339 patients with asthma and 305 healthy control subjects, of whom 226 of the patients with asthma and 219 of the healthy control subjects had previously been genotyped for the -109C/T promoter polymorphism at FCER1B. In the current study, we genotyped 2 polymorphisms in the CTLA4 gene, one involving the promoter (-318C/T) and the other involving exon 1 (+49A/G), in addition to the FCER1B promoter polymorphism. RESULTS: Patients with asthma who were homozygous for the -318C allele at the CTLA4 promoter region had higher levels of total serum IgE than patients with asthma carrying the -318T allele (P =.00470). The analysis of -318C/T (at CTLA4) and -109C/T (at FCER1B) promoter polymorphisms showed a significant correlation between the combined genotypes and increased levels of total IgE in patients with asthma (P =.000014). In contrast, no correlation between total serum IgE levels and -318C/T or +49A/G genotypes was detected in 305 healthy control subjects. There was no evidence indicating an association between a putative allele for asthma or atopy and alleles at any of the CTLA4 polymorphic loci. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that promoter polymorphisms of both CTLA4 and FCER1B are genetic factors that influence total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma. This supports the theory that variance in total serum IgE levels in patients with asthma is determined by mutations in multiple genes, each of which has a relatively small effect on the phenotype.

Abatacept↗
PubMed2001

(CCTTT)n repeat polymorphism in the NOS2 gene promoter is associated with atopy.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the regulation of the T(H)1/T(H)2 balance, indicating the potential for NO to contribute to the development of atopy and several other allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma. NO synthase 2 (NOS2) is critically involved in the synthesis of NO during several inflammatory states, and the gene encoding NOS2 is located at chromosome 17q11.2-q12, where 2 genome scans have identified a candidate locus for atopy and asthma. OBJECTIVE: The 14-repeat allele of the (CCTTT)(n) repeat polymorphism in the NOS2 promoter region is a powerful enhancer of promoter activity in reporter constructs in vitro. We tested whether this potentially functional allele in the NOS2 gene influences the development of atopy and asthma. METHODS: We studied a total of 497 unrelated Japanese subjects (141 nonatopic healthy controls, 102 atopic healthy controls, 56 nonatopic asthmatic subjects, and 198 atopic asthmatic subjects). The odds ratio (OR) was calculated for atopy and asthma in carriers of the 14-repeat allele through use of logistic regression models. Atopy was defined as a positive specific IgE level to at least 1 of 10 common inhaled allergens. RESULTS: The 14-repeat allele was inversely associated with atopy (OR = 0.42, P < .01). The association remained significant when the model was controlled for asthmatic status (OR = 0.36, P < .01). This allele, however, was associated neither with the development of asthma nor with total serum IgE levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the (CCTTT)(n) repeat polymorphism in the promoter of the NOS2 gene that affects promoter activity is a risk factor for the development of atopy, and this genetic effect seems independent of asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of beraprost sodium on canine cauda equina function and blood flow using a chronic spinal cord compression model.

Changes in blood flow after chronic compression were observed in 19 dogs after 10 mmHg compression for 1 week before and 1 hour after the intravenous administration of one of three doses of beraprost sodium (BPS; 30 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1), n = 7; 100 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1), n = 7; and 300 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1), n = 5). The speed of blood flow was calculated using a specially designed microscope equipped with a video camera. Dogs treated with BPS had lesser degrees of reduction in their nerve conduction velocity compared with controls. A vascular mechanism of injury likely explains why BPS-treated dogs had a lesser degree of reduction in their nerve conduction velocities compared with the control population.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Blood flow measurement in experimental chronic cauda equina compression in dogs: changes in blood flow at various conditions.

The purpose of this study was to present a simple method of measurement of blood flow in the nerve root, assess the reliability of this method, and examine the changes of blood flow in chronic cauda equina compression in an experimental setting. A total of 15 dogs were used to determine the blood flow of cauda equina in normal (n = 5), sham (n = 5), and 10 mm Hg compressed cauda equina for 1 week (n = 5). The speed of blood flow was calculated using a specially designed microscope supplied with a video camera. Blood flow in chronic 10 mm Hg compression decreased compared with the sham and normal groups. The kappa value was between 0.75 and 0.96. We conclude that this method might be useful for measurement of blood flow in the nerve root and for confirming the reduction in blood flow of compressed cauda equina.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Retinal thickness measurements with optical coherence tomography and the scanning retinal thickness analyzer.

PURPOSE: To assess the reproducibility of retinal thickness measurements in normal subjects and to compare foveal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the scanning retinal thickness analyzer (RTA). METHODS: Two examiners performed foveal thickness measurements in 24 eyes of 12 healthy subjects using both OCT and the scanning RTA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) (intra-examiner and inter-examiner) were calculated for the paired foveal thickness measurements obtained with each instrument. RESULTS: The average foveal thicknesses measured with OCT and the scanning RTA were 155.1 +/- 14.9 microm and 107.8 +/- 18.6 microm, respectively. The intra-examiner ICCs from the two sessions using the OCT and the scanning RTA were 0.99 and 0.78 and 0.89 and 0.99, respectively. The inter-examiner ICCs of the OCT and the scanning RTA were 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the foveal thickness measurements with these two instruments (R2 = 0.629, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The foveal thicknesses measured using OCT and the scanning RTA in healthy subjects agreed with the previously reported data on foveal thickness. Both instruments can reproducibly quantitate foveal thickness.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Factors affecting pulsatile ocular blood flow in normal subjects.

BACKGROUND: The factors that influence pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) were evaluated in normal subjects. METHODS: POBF was measured in 80 normal subjects using Langham OBF computerised tonometry. The effect of age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, refractive error, intraocular pressure, and axial length on POBF was evaluated using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) POBF value was 593.3 (203.6) microl/min (range 290.7-1201.6). Of all the independent variables in the model, only the axial length was statistically significant (p = 0.008). The regression coefficient was negative, indicating that the axial length decreased with increasing POBF. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that, in normal subjects, the POBF decreases as axial length increases. Choroidal blood flow may decrease as the axial length increases. The axial length may therefore be a major factor affecting POBF.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Pulsatile ocular blood flow study: decreases in exudative age related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) is a parameter for evaluating choroidal blood flow. POBF in the patients with non-exudative and exudative age related macular degeneration (AMD) was investigated. METHODS: POBF, pulse amplitude (PA), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive error, and axial length were compared among 10 patients with non-exudative AMD, 11 patients with exudative AMD, and 69 age matched controls. A Langham OBF computerised tonometer was used with the participants in the sitting position to measure POBF and PA. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, IOP, or refractive error between patients with exudative and non-exudative AMD and the control subjects. In the patients with exudative AMD the POBF (median, 372.7 microl/min) and PA (median, 1.2 mm Hg) were significantly lower than in the patients with non-exudative AMD (median, 607.0 microl/min (p = 0.02) and 2.2 mm Hg (p = 0.04), respectively) and control subjects (median, 547.4 microl/min (p = 0.01) and 2.0 mm Hg (p = 0.01), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the POBF and PA in the patients with exudative AMD are lower than in the patients with non-exudative AMD and normal subjects. Decreased choroidal blood flow may have a role in the development of choroidal neovascularisation in AMD.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Five-year prognosis after radical prostatectomy in a patient with localized prostate cancer and incidental non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

We present a white male patient with an initial prostate-specific antigen level of 69 ng/ml, referred for urological evaluation. He was found to be free of prostatitis but diagnosed for prostate adenocarcinoma without any indications of metastatic disease. Lymphadenectomy then revealed lymphadenopathy of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Five-year follow-up after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) showed no evidence of metastatic or local prostate cancer recurrence. In addition, no radiation or chemotherapy was required for his lymphoma. Although RRP is a viable option in this unique case, the outcome thus far suggests that it should be considered a primary therapeutic modality.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Malignant priapism associated with metastatic urethral carcinoma.

We present a 40-year-old man with malignant priapism secondary to urethral squamous cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the tumor originating from the bulbous urethra, extending into the penile urethra and corpora spongiosa and cavernosa. A penile biopsy confirmed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the urethra. Despite administration of systemic chemotherapy, the prognosis of the patient has worsened due to the extensive metastatic disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae and nerve-root symptoms.

Transitional vertebrae (TV) may be one of the risk factors for lumbar disc herniation. It is not clear, however, whether the presence of TV can affect the development of nerve-root symptoms. Our aim was to clarify this relationship. A total of 501 patients with lumbar degenerative disease and nerve-root symptoms was studied in respect of their level and the presence of TV. As a control group, 508 patients without low back pain or nerve-root symptoms were studied to establish the incidence of TV. In patients with disc herniation, the incidence was statistically higher and the mean age lower in patients with TV than in those without. In most patients, the symptomatic disc level was just above the TV. Similarly, in those with stenosis of the spinal canal without spondylolisthesis, the symptomatic disc level was most commonly just above the TV.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Activated coagulation/fibrinolysis system and platelet function in acute thrombotic stroke patients with increased C-reactive protein levels.

The relationship between systemic infection or inflammation and an increased risk of thrombotic diseases has recently raised renewed interest. In order to determine the mechanisms underlying this relationship, we determined plasma levels of coagulation/fibrinolysis markers and platelet function in patients with acute thrombotic stroke (<24 h after onset) prior to treatment, and compared the results between cases with elevated and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and controls. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-antiplasmin complex, and D-dimer were significantly higher in patients with elevated CRP levels than in those with normal CRP levels and controls (P<0.005). Platelet aggregation induced by 1 and 10 microM ADP was significantly higher in patients with elevated CRP levels than those with normal CRP levels (P<0.05). These findings suggest that activation of the coagulation/fibrinolysis system and platelet function may be in part related to stroke onset in patients with increased CRP levels.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Prospective study of surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis: comparison between decompression alone and decompression with graf system stabilization.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis who underwent decompression of the spine, with and without stabilization using the Graf system. OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical result of decompression alone and decompression using the Graf system. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The clinical outcome of lumbar stabilization for degenerative spondylolisthesis remains uncertain. There is no prospective study of differences in clinical outcome between patients who undergo decompression alone and those who undergo decompression and stabilization using the Graf system. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis were included in this study. All patients reported leg symptoms. Decompression alone (Group D) was performed in 42 patients during a 5-year period from 1988 through 1992. Decompression and stabilization with the Graf system (Group G) was performed in 46 patients during a 4-year period from 1993 through 1996. There was no statistical difference regarding sex, the age at operation, compensable cases, and preoperative duration between two groups. The two groups were evaluated at follow-up examinations 1 and 3 years after surgery. The clinical results were evaluated for all patients by means of a 4-grade scale, visual analog scale, recurrence of leg symptoms, and persistent low back pain. The radiographic and clinical findings were examined by an independent investigator. RESULTS: The results according to the 4-grade scale deteriorated with time in both groups. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the 4-grade scale, visual analog scale, or recurrence of leg symptoms at each follow-up time. Persistent low back pain in Group G was significantly lower than that in Group D at both the 1- and 3-year follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Although lumbar Graf stabilization had no effect in preventing the recurrence of leg symptoms, there was a significant effect on reduction of low back pain at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups.

Adult↗