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Biomedical subjects

S Kono

Publications and source records attributed to S Kono.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Risk of gallstones following gastrectomy in Japanese men.

The risk of gallstones developing after gastrectomy in middle-aged Japanese men was investigated in a study of 2,738 men aged between 48 and 56 years who underwent both gallbladder ultrasonography (US) and a barium study of the upper digestive tract. It was revealed that 61 men had gallstones, 37 had had their gallbladder removed previously, and 55 had a history of gastrectomy. The prevalence of gallstones was 3.5 times higher in the men who had previously undergone gastrectomy (7.7%) than in those who had not (2.2%) (P = 0.03). Moreover, gallstones tended to be more prevalent in those who had undergone Billroth II gastrectomy (12.5%) compared with those who had undergone Billroth I gastrectomy (5.6%); however, the difference was not significant. These results indicate that gastrectomy using either Billroth I or Billroth II reconstruction predisposes to gallstone formation. Nevertheless, it was estimated that prior gastrectomy was responsible for no more than 5% of gallstones in the study population.

Barium Sulfate↗
PubMed1995

Serum glycoproteins and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

The relation of serum glycoproteins and C-reactive protein (CRP) to severity of coronary atherosclerosis was examined in 133 men and 92 women undergoing coronary angiography. The following serum glycoproteins were determined: alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, C4b binding protein, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)]. Sex- and age-adjusted levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-acid glycoproteins, alpha 2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, Lp(a) and CRP were significantly associated with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as determined by the Gensini score; these associations remained significant even after adjustment for body-mass index, smoking history, hypertension, and total cholesterol, except for Lp(a) (p = 0.075). These findings suggest that certain serum glycoproteins and CRP can serve as independent indicators for the progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Mortality in psychiatric patients, with a specific focus on cancer mortality associated with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Higher mortality rates among psychiatric patients compared with the general population have been widely reported. On the other hand, lower cancer mortality for schizophrenics has been occasionally pointed out. Few studies from Japan have investigated mortality among psychiatric patients, and this study is the first large-scale follow-up in this country. METHODS: A total of 4980 patients admitted to a national mental hospital from 1948 through 1982 were followed up until 31 August 1985. The standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated in comparison to the general population, using the person-years method. RESULTS: The SMR for total deaths and those for malignancy were as follows for males/females respectively: 2.55/3.02 and 0.84/1.37 for schizophrenia, 1.76/2.37 and 1.44/2.10 for depression, 2.45/3.04 and 1.18/1.82 for mania, 1.81/1.90 and 0.27/1.07 for neurosis, 5.55/4.33 and 1.85/3.34 for alcohol/drug abuse, and 3.65/3.57 and 1.01/0.72 for organic brain syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The SMR for total deaths were significantly elevated in schizophrenia, depression, mania, neurosis, alcohol/drug abuse, and organic brain syndrome, respectively. The SMR for malignancy were not elevated nor lowered significantly in any of these disease categories. The SMR for stomach cancer in male schizophrenics was significantly lower (0.27; P < 0.05).

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1995

Relationship of cigarette smoking to the severity of coronary and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.

We studied the relationship of cigarette smoking to the severity of coronary and thoracic aortic atherosclerosis in 116 men who received coronary angiography and transesophageal echocardiography. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed in terms of Gensini's score (GS), and that of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis was assessed by the average sclerotic length (ASL) and average sclerotic area (ASA). The plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly positively correlated with smoking, and fasting blood sugar levels tended to be positively associated with smoking. GS was inversely associated with serum levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. ASL and ASA were positively associated with age, fasting blood sugar levels and plasma fibrinogen levels, and these associations were statistically significant. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the net association between cigarette smoking and GS, ASL or ASA controlling for age, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and plasma fibrinogen. We found that GS, ASL, and ASA were all significantly increased with increasing number of cigarette years. Additional adjustment for other risk factors (triglyceride, uric acid, body mass index, alcohol use and hypertension) also showed a strong independent contribution of smoking to GS, ASL and ASA. We concluded that the cumulative exposure to cigarette smoking was an independent indicator of the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as well as thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Gallstone disease among Japanese men in relation to obesity, glucose intolerance, exercise, alcohol use, and smoking.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for gallstones are not fully understood, especially in men. Obesity and other risk factors for gallstone disease were investigated in Japanese men based on gallbladder ultrasonography. METHODS: Forty-one men with gallstones, 31 with postcholecystectomy state, and 2044 with a normal gallbladder were identified among 2228 men aged 49-55 years who received a retirement health examination at three hospitals of the Japan Self-Defense Forces between 1991 and 1992. Glucose tolerance was determined with a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: Body mass index was not associated with gallstones, although it was significantly, positively related to postcholecystectomy. Waist to hip circumference ratio tended to be weakly associated with gallstones. Diabetes mellitus was associated only with postcholecystectomy. Smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity were not measurably related to either gallstones or postcholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The present study failed to substantiate an association of gallstone risk with either obesity or any other risk factor. Further observation is needed in view of the limited study power.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1995

Effects of fluvastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and niceritrol on serum lipids, lipoproteins and cholesterol ester transfer activity in primary hypercholesterolemic patients.

Effects of a combination therapy of fluvastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and niceritrol on lipid metabolism were investigated measuring a wide range of parameters in 42 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. After a wash-out period patients were randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 groups, the fluvastatin-preceding group (G-1) and the niceritrol-preceding group (G-2). In G-1 fluvastatin monotherapy (30 mg/day) significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). There was no significant change in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)). Further effect in HDL-C and TG was observed after the addition of niceritrol (750 mg/day). On the other hand, in G-2, while niceritrol alone (750 mg/day) produced no significant change in TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and Lp(a), the addition of fluvastatin (30 mg/day) reduced TC and LDL-C levels significantly. Cholesterol ester transfer (CET) activity was significantly reduced by niceritrol monotherapy. After the concomitant use of the 2 drugs CET activity was significantly reduced only in G-2. No significant change in lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase activities were observed in the 2 groups at either point in time. No serious adverse effect was observed in this study. It is concluded that fluvastatin is an effective drug for lowering LDL-cholesterol and causes no adverse alteration in lipid metabolism. Combination with niceritrol at a dose of 750 mg/day dose not appear to augment or attenuate beneficial effects of fluvastatin.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed1995

A case of isolated acute DeBakey II redissection occurring in a postoperative survivor who underwent an arch replacement for acute DeBakey IIIb dissection.

A case of isolated acute DeBakey II redissection which occurred in a postoperative survivor who underwent an arch replacement for acute DeBakey IIIb dissection is reported. The operative findings revealed that there was an intimal tear above the left coronary cusp, that there was a false lumen in the native ascending aorta, and that a residual false lumen caused by the initial operation had not been detected. Redissection caused mainly by the operative procedure, such as the failure to include the site of the intimal tear in the original repair and the formation of a new dissection as a result of anastomotic failure, is frequently seen. However, isolated redissection is a rare condition. In this paper we discuss classification, diagnosis and treatment of redissection.

Aortic Dissection↗
PubMed1994

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 in lung carcinoma. Correlation with DNA flow cytometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: To study the prognosis of patients with lung carcinomas, the efficacy of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in ensuring both the proliferative activity defined using Ki-67 labeling and the cell cycle data obtained using flow cytometry was determined. METHODS: The authors used immunostaining to study frozen and paraffin embedded sections of 165 surgically resected lung carcinomas [squamous cell carcinoma, n = 84; adenocarcinoma, n = 62; large cell carcinoma, n = 15; small cell carcinoma, n = 4] for the presence of PCNA and Ki-67 antibodies. Also studied were two parameter flow cytometric analysis of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated PCNA/propidium iodide for 165 fresh frozen tissues. Clinicopathologic data (sex, age, tumor stage, survival period, histologic type, degree of cell differentiation, and cellularity) were evaluated using the Statistical Analysis System. RESULTS: The percentages of PCNA positive cells per 1000 nuclei were 52% of squamous cell carcinoma; 49% in adenocarcinomas; 76% of large cell carcinoma; and 63% of small cell carcinoma. Positive PCNA staining was significantly correlated with stage, cellularity, and DNA index. Calculation of logistic regression coefficients indicated an association between overall survivals and tumor cellularity (P < 0.0003), percentage of cells stained with PCNA antibody (P < 0.02), DNA pattern (aneuploid versus diploid) (P < 0.009), DNA index (P < 0.009), and percentage of cells in S-phase (P < 0.04). Both cellularity (P = 0.03) and DNA (P = 0.08) retained its independent level of significance by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to clinical stage and histologic differentiation, both cellularity and DNA content may help predict the course of lung carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Coffee and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase: a study of self-defense officials in Japan.

The relation of coffee drinking and other behavioral factors to serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was examined in 2,494 male self-defense officials aged 48-56 years, who received a retirement health examination at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between October 1986 and December 1990. Coffee, but not green tea, consumption was inversely related to serum GGT independently of body mass index, alcohol use, and smoking. All of the latter variables were also independently and positively associated with serum GGT. Lower levels of serum GGT associated with coffee drinking were more evident among heavier alcohol drinkers and also among heavier smokers. The findings suggest that coffee may inhibit the inducing effects of alcohol and possibly of smoking upon GGT in the liver.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

Lifestyle and glucose tolerance: a cross-sectional study of Japanese men.

The relationship of smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, and physical activity to glucose tolerance was studied in 2407 male self-defense officials aged 49-56 years who received a health examination before retirement at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital from October 1986 to December 1990. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly, positively related to impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); after adjustment for rank of the Self-Defense Forces, smoking, alcohol use, prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and parental history of the disease, odds ratios (ORs) of IGT and NIDDM for the highest (> or = 25.5 kg/m2) versus lowest (< 21.6 kg/m2) quintile of BMI were 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-6.8] and 4.6 (95% CI 2.3-9.3), respectively. Cigarette smoking was weakly, positively associated with IGT and strongly so with NIDDM; adjusted ORs of IGT and NIDDM for 800 cigarette-years or more versus never smoking were 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.5) and 4.1 (95% CI 1.8-9.3), respectively. The prevalence of IGT and NIDDM tended to be decreased among men with high physical activity as measured by the time spent for vigorous exercise in leisure time. There was virtually no association between alcohol consumption and either IGT or NIDDM. The findings suggest that obesity and cigarette smoking are important factors in the development of glucose intolerance in middle-aged Japanese men.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

Alcohol consumption and blood pressure: an extended study of self-defence officials in Japan.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether the relation between alcohol intake and blood pressure is linear or non-linear. METHODS: The relation between alcohol intake and blood pressure was investigated in 2341 male self-defence officials who received a preretirement health examination at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between October 1986 and December 1990. Average alcohol intake in the past year was ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire. The study excluded past drinkers, and allowed for smoking, body mass index and glucose tolerance. RESULTS: Blood pressure was higher at higher levels of alcohol intake across the range from 0 to 40-59 ml of alcohol per day, but was not progressively higher in men consuming > or = 60 ml per day. Blood pressure was significantly higher even among light drinkers (< 20 ml per day) compared to non-drinkers; adjusted mean differences were 3.1 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-5.2) in systolic pressure and 2.1 mmHg (95% CI: 0.7-3.5) in diastolic pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the existence of a threshold in the relation between alcohol and blood pressure.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

Behavioural and biological correlates of serum uric acid: a study of self-defence officials in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan epidemiological data on correlates of serum uric acid are sparse. METHODS: Behavioural and biological correlates of serum uric acid were investigated in 2487 men who received a retirement health examination at the Self-Defence Forces Fukuoka Hospital from October 1986 through 1990, excluding those under medication for hyperuricaemia, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum creatinine was the strongest correlate followed by serum triglycerides, body mass index and diastolic blood pressure; these four variables accounted for 16% of the overall variation in serum uric acid. Serum total cholesterol, alcohol intake and past smoking were positively associated with serum uric acid levels while diabetes mellitus and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were negatively related to serum uric acid; these five variables additionally explained 2% of the variation. Although an independent impact was minimal, beer consumption was significantly associated with an elevated level of serum uric acid after allowing for the previously mentioned correlates. CONCLUSIONS: Serum creatinine and triglycerides are major correlates of serum uric acid in Japanese men. Our data add to the body of evidence suggesting that weight control, avoiding excessive drinking and adequate control of hypertension are beneficial in the prevention of hyperuricaemia.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Immunohistochemical localization of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in human brain tumors.

We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in surgical specimens of 41 human intracranial tumors. Malignant tumors (7 glioblastoma multiforme, 5 anaplastic gliomas, 4 malignant meningiomas, and 9 metastatic tumors) showed consistently stronger PAI-1 immunohistoreactivity than benign or low-grade tumors (5 low-grade gliomas, 8 benign meningiomas, and 3 Schwannomas). Strong PAI-1 positivity was confined to glomeruloid-shaped proliferative vessels seen in high-grade gliomas and metastatic tumors. Blood vessels near necrotic foci and some zones of necrosis also showed strong PAI-1 positivity. PAI-1 localizes in the vascular basement membrane and perivascular connective tissue, while endothelial cells themselves show weak positivity. None of the specimens showed PAI-1 reactivity within the tumor cells per se. Localization of PAI-1 in proliferating vessels suggests that PAI-1 may be involved in angiogenesis.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Obesity and adenomatous polyps of the sigmoid colon.

The relation between obesity and adenomatous polyps of the sigmoid colon was investigated in male self-defense officials who received a retirement health examination at three hospitals of the Self-Defense Forces in Japan between January 1991 and December 1992. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR) were used as indices of obesity. A total of 228 adenoma cases and 1484 controls with normal sigmoidoscopy were identified in 2228 men: cases having small adenomas (< 5 mm in diameter) and those with large adenomas (5 mm or greater) numbered 115 and 102, respectively. Smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, rank, and hospital were controlled for by multiple logistic regression analysis. BMI and WHR were classified into four levels using the 30th, 60th, and 90th percentiles of each distribution in the control as cut-off points. There was a significant two-fold elevation in the overall adenoma risk among men at the highest BMI level (> or = 26.95) compared with those at the lowest level (< 22.48), but the risk did not linearly increase: a similar increase was also noted for large adenomas. While WHR was only weakly related to the overall adenoma risk, the risk of large adenomas progressively increased with increasing levels of WHR; odds ratio (OR) 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-5.9) for the highest (> or = 0.958) versus lowest (< 0.878) levels. BMI was not materially associated with adenoma risk after additional adjustment for WHR, but a positive association between WHR and large adenomas was independent of BMI: OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.5-7.6) for the highest versus lowest levels. These findings suggest that obesity is associated with an increased risk of colon adenomas, probably with adenoma growth.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1994

A novel substrate for insulin-sensitive serine/threonine kinase in intact cells.

We have studied insulin-stimulated threonine phosphorylation of cellular proteins by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation using antiphosphothreonine antibody (anti-P-Thr). A 50-kilodalton protein (p50) was found to be greatly phosphorylated on threonine residues upon insulin stimulation in intact rat hepatoma cells (Fao) and Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing human insulin receptor (CHO-HIR). Insulin induced threonine phosphorylation of this protein in a dose-dependent manner, with an ED50 of 3-6 x 10(-9) M. The 50-kilodalton phosphoprotein (pp50) was detectable 20 min after exposure of the cells to insulin, and phosphorylation reached a maximum after 90 min. Immunoprecipitation of pp50 with anti-P-Thr required extraction of the cellular proteins with sodium dodecyl sulfate and dithiothreitol, and subcellular fractionation of the cells revealed that pp50 is present in the membrane fraction, implying that pp50 is a protein integrated into the membrane component in the cells. Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping of the pp50 was distinct from that of the insulin receptor beta-subunit. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the pp50 demonstrated that insulin increased phosphorylation, mainly of threonine and moderately of serine, whereas pp50 did not contain phosphotyrosine. Cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, did not affect the insulin-induced appearance of pp50 in the cells. pp50 was not detectable in A431 cells and KB cells stimulated by epidermal growth factor. These data suggest that p50 is a novel endogenous substrate for insulin-sensitive serine/threonine kinase in intact cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of gallbladder polyps: an ultrasonographic study of male self-defense officials in Japan.

The prevalence and risk factors of gallbladder polyps diagnosed by ultrasonography were investigated in 2739 male self-defense officials who received a retirement health examination at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital, Japan, between October 1986 and December 1990. Excluding 38 men whose gallbladder had been removed previously, 143 men were found to have gallbladder polyps. The overall prevalence of gallbladder polyps was 5.3%. The relation between gallbladder polyps and smoking, alcohol use, body mass index, glucose tolerance, and serum lipids was examined in 137 men with stoneless polyps and 2495 normal subjects. Whereas smoking tended to be inversely associated with gallbladder polyps, none of the other lifestyle and clinical variables were related to this condition. Thus the reported risk factors of gallstones had no relation to gallbladder polyps.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the pathogenesis of delayed radiation damage in rat spinal cord in vivo.

The pathophysiology of radiation-induced damage to the central nervous system (CNS) is poorly understood. Preliminary data suggest that fibrinolytic inhibitors are involved in the development of necrosis. In this study, cervical spinal cord irradiation was studied in 90 rats by measuring plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 on Days 2, 7, 30, 60, 90, 120, 130, or 145 after irradiation. Paralysis due to radiation necrosis developed in all animals kept alive for 140 to 150 days. Assay of PAI-1 was by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and complex formation with 125I-labeled urokinase. No PAI-1 was detected in normal spinal cord tissue or in irradiated spinal cord up to Day 90. However, PAI-1 was detected at Day 120 and was marked by elevated ELISA levels at the time of paralysis. Western blot showed detectable PAI-1 (51 kD) at Day 120 and very significant levels at the time of paralysis. Complex formation with 125I-labeled urokinase was also detected at Day 120 with similar results. Immunohistochemical studies showed that PAI-1 was highly concentrated within and immediately adjacent to zones of necrosis at 145 days and was absent in normal tissue. This study adds considerable weight to the proposal that PAI-1 is closely associated with the pathogenesis of CNS radiation necrosis.

Animals↗