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Biomedical subjects

T Kondo

Publications and source records attributed to T Kondo.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Ergonomic evaluation of working posture of VDT operation using personal computer with flat panel display.

The aim of this study was to evaluate working conditions using a personal computer with a flat panel display (FPD) in terms of visual and musculoskeletal comfort. Measurements of viewing distance, viewing angle, head angle, neck angle and electromyogram (EMG) activities of the neck, shoulder and back muscles of visual display terminal (VDT) operators were compared at workstations using an FPD and a desktop personal computer (DPC). A notebook personal computer (NPC) with a 10.4 inches FPD, was used in this experiment. Each of 10 healthy subjects performed word processing tasks using both NPC and DPC workstations. Significant differences in the work posture while using the NPC and DPC were seen with viewing distance, viewing angle and head angle. The characteristic features of the work posture using the NPC were a remarkably short viewing distance and a forward inclination of the head. The value of integrated EMG (IEMG) of the neck muscle was greater while using the NPC than when using the DPC. These phenomena were caused by the structure of NPCs; most NPCs have a display and keyboard which cannot be separated and are not adjustable without tilt and swivel mechanisms. VDT devices that cannot be adjusted may potentially make operators assume a poor posture while working, which could cause visual and musculoskeletal disorders. To prevent visual and musculoskeletal problems using NPCs, a more upright head and neck position was recommended. The addition of a mechanism for adjustment of the height of an NPC display would allow a comfortable downward gaze without the loss of correct posture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Furosemide given by inhalation ameliorates acute exacerbation of asthma.

Previous studies have suggested that inhaled furosemide may have a protective effect against a wide variety of bronchoconstrictor agents, but a therapeutic effect has not been established in acute exacerbation of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether inhaled furosemide would exhibit any therapeutic benefit in acute asthma. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study in 40 patients with acute mild or moderate exacerbation of asthma. All patients received intravenous (i.v.) aminophylline 250 mg for 90 min and i.v. hydrocortisone 100 mg at entry. After randomization, 3 patients were excluded from the final analysis. At 30 min after starting i.v. aminophylline, 20 patients were given inhaled furosemide 20 mg and 17 patients received normal saline as placebo-control. Both inhalations were given by a jet nebulizer. The baseline forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and serum concentration of theophylline did not differ between the two groups. An increase in FEV1 in the furosemide group by 28.2 +/- 5.9% (mean +/- SE) was noted at 60 min, and this was significantly higher than in the control group. PEFR at 60 min was also significantly higher in the furosemide group than in control group. We conclude that inhaled furosemide has a bronchodilator effect on mild to moderate exacerbation of asthma when it is used with i.v. theophylline. Inhaled furosemide may benefit certain acute asthma patients, especially those suffering complications from the adverse effects of beta 2-agonists.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Conversion ratio of tryptophan to niacin in rats fed a vitamin B1-free diet.

The effect of a vitamin B1-free diet on the conversion ratio of tryptophan to niacin in rats was investigated using the current methods for determination of the intermediate metabolites. Rats were fed with diets with or without B1 for 33 days. The body weight gain and food intake in the B1-free group were almost the same as the control group for 10 days, but, they steeply dropped after that time and the conversion ratio of tryptophan to niacin began to increase. The ratio reached 7-fold that of the control group on the last day of the experiment. This finding seriously differed from the previous reports, which described that B1 was needed in the first part of tryptophan conversion to niacin and that the conversion ratio of tryptophan to niacin decreased in B1-deficient rats. Furthermore, the activity of tryptophan oxygenase, in which it was reported that B1 is required for the tryptophan catalytic reaction, did not decrease but increased even when the B1-free diet was fed. These results suggest that there is a very small possibility of the direct involvement of B1 in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The use of microwave ovens by elderly persons with disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effectiveness of microwave ovens in assisting elderly persons with disabilities with cooking food. METHOD: The participants were five elderly persons who had gross motor, fine motor, or vision impairments but no cognitive impairments. Before the study, none of the participants owned or operated a microwave oven. In this single-subject design of four phases (ABAB), training in microwave oven use was provided between the first A (baseline) and first B (intervention) phases. Participants had access so the microwave oven in their homes only during the B phases. Each phase lasted for 3 weeks, for a total of 12 weeks. The frequency of using cooking appliances, the number of food items prepared, and the time spent preparing meals were recorded through daily self-reports. RESULTS: All participants showed an increase in the frequency of using cooking appliances for at least one of the two B phases, although they showed different patterns. The number of food items prepared increased in the B phases, except for two participants who were ill. With the introduction of the microwave oven, time spent preparing meals decreased for all five participants, and their participation in meal preparation increased. Although not measured as a study variable, results suggest that the quality of diet also improved with microwave oven use. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy practitioners who serve elderly clients might consider recommending microwave ovens for those who do not have cognitive impairments but who are having difficulty with cooking because of vision impairments or physical disabilities.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

[A case of papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the prostate].

An 86-year-old was admitted to our hospital with the complaint of urinary retension. Ultrasonography and CT scan revealed a large cystic intrapelvic mass which was palpated on the bilateral inguinal portion. When the needle aspiration was performed, we aspirated serous fluid which a concentration of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was remarkably elevated to 6200 ng/ml. Following hormonal therapy with diethylstilbestrol diphosphate, maximum androgen blockade with Flutaminde and LH-RH analog was performed. But no reduction in the size of the cyst was observed, he died from dyspnea caused by carcinomatosa 91 days later. Autopsy revealed a papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the prostate. Furthermore, we revealed that the cyst is primary and neoplastic changes supervened in this case. Seven cases of papillary cystadenocarcinoma of the prostate in the Japanese literature are reviewed briefly.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Brain tumor and parkinsonism].

Reports on cases of parkinsonism associated with brain tumor were reviewed. Although parkinsonism can develop in association with any type of brain tumor, it develops most frequently in association with meningiomas located at the sphenoid ridge or frontal convexity. Although parkinsonian symptoms in the parkinsonism associated with brain tumors are similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease in the early stages, atypical symptoms, such as visual field defects, motor weakness or pyramidal signs are visible signs of the parkinsonism. Functional abnormality in the nigrostrial system due to chronic mechanical compression of the system by a sizeable brain tumor seems to contribute to the pathogenesis of the parkinsonism.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Levodopa loading test as an early marker of Parkinson's disease].

We report levodopa absorption profile in 8 patients with early stage Parkinson's disease(PD) and in 8 age-matched normal control(NC) subjects; the gastric emptying time(GET) was also studied simultaneously. Patients with PD showed a significantly higher peak plasma levodopa concentration, however, no significant difference was present in the GET between the two groups; therefore, the higher plasma levodopa peak could not be ascribed to the difference in the GET. In the NC subjects, plasma peak levodopa level was positively correlated with the GET, however, inverse correlation was observed in the PD patients, suggesting the presence of qualitative difference in the levodopa absorption mechanism between early PD and normal population. Enhanced levodopa absorption may be a useful early marker for PD.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1997

[Ultrasound biomicroscopic observation of the anterior eye segment in a sclerocornea and a microcornea].

We observed the anterior segment of eyes in one case of sclerocornea and one case of microcornea using an ultrasound biomicroscope. The sclerocornea was the peripheral type. The contrast in the image of ultrasound biomicroscopy changes from low to high density in proportion to the optical opacity at the peripheral portion of the cornea. There was no abnormality in the anatomical figures of the anterior chamber angle in ultrasound biomicroscopic findings, which gave significant information in the cataract surgery. The patient with microcornea had horizontal nystagmus, partial coloboma of the iris, choroidal coloboma, and cataract in both eyes. We observed the iris tissue in all the meridians in the ultrasound biomicroscopic pictures. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a promising procedure for examining the anterior segment of eyes with corneal opacity.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Studies on the metabolism of the new antidiabetic agent pioglitazone. Identification of metabolites in rats and dogs.

Metabolic studies of pioglitazone (CAS 105355-27-9, AD-4833), a new agent, in rats and dogs using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance led to characterization of the following metabolites; the parent compound, (+/-)-5-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-2-4-thiazolidinedione (M-I), (+/-)-5-[p-[2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridyl)-2-hydroxyethoxy]benzyl] -2,4-thiazolidinedione (M-II), (+/-)- 5-[p-[2-(5-acetyl-2-pyridyl)ethoxy]benzyl]2,4-thiazolidinedione (M-III), (+/-)-5-[p-[2-[5-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2- pyridyl]ethoxy]benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione (M-IV), (+/-)-5-[p-[2-(5- carboxymethyl-2-pyridyl)ethoxy]- benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione (M-V), and (+/-)-5-[p-[2-(5-carboxy-2- pyridyl)ethoxy]benzyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione (M-VI). Pioglitazone is considered to be metabolized by cleavage of aliphatic C-O bond to lead to M-I, hydroxylation of aliphatic methylene groups to form M-II and M-IV, oxidation of M-IV to give M-III, oxidation of the ethyl group to form M-V, and oxidative loss of the terminal carbon to lead to M-IV. Furthermore, part of metabolites exist as conjugated form. Among the conjugates, M-IV conjugated with sulfuric acid and M-V conjugated with taurine were identified.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Localization of a gene for an autosomal recessive form of juvenile Parkinsonism to chromosome 6q25.2-27.

An autosomal recessive form of juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP) (MIM 600116) is a levodopa-responsive Parkinsonism whose pathological finding is a highly selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra. By linkage analysis of diallelic polymorphism of the Mn-superoxide dismutase gene (SOD2), we found a family with AR-JP showing perfect segregation of the disease with the SOD2 locus. By extending the linkage analysis to 13 families with AR-JP, we discovered strong evidence for the localization of the AR-JP gene at chromosome 6q25.2-27, including the SOD2 locus, with the maximal cumulative pairwise LOD scores of 7.26 and 7.71 at D6S305 (theta = .03) and D6S253 (theta = .02), respectively. Observation of obligate recombination events, as well as multipoint linkage analysis, placed the AR-JP gene in a 17-cM interval between D6S437 and D6S264. Delineation of the AR-JP gene will be an important step toward our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying selective degeneration of the nigral neurons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[A 85-year-old woman with the onset of progressive gait disturbance at 80 years of the age].

We report a 85-year-old woman who had an onset of gait disturbance at 80 years of the age. She had a dizzy spell when she was 80-year-old. She was evaluated at another hospital where paroxysmal tachycardia and sinus arrest lasting as long as 5.8 seconds were found. She was diagnosed as having sick sinus syndrome and a pace maker was inserted. She had a gradual onset of disturbance of gait shortly after the above dizzy spell. She became unable to walk fast and her steps became small. Neurologic examination at age 83 revealed small step gait with freezing episodes. Retropulsion was present. No motor weakness or origidity was noted. She had no tremor. Mentally she was alert and sound. Cranial nerves were essentially normal. Cranial CT scan revealed slight diffuse low density change in the bilateral cerebral white matter. She was treated with amantadine HCI and levodopa with carbidopa. Her gait and balance showed some improvement. She developed pneumonia and worsening of her gait when she was 85 years of the age, and she was admitted again to our hospital. She was mentally alert and sound but she showed marked freezing of gait with loss of postural reflex; she would have fallen down unless supported upon standing. Cranial nerves were again essentially normal. Her hospital course was complicated by pneumonia, DIC, and renal failure. She expired suddenly on the 10th day of her last admission. She was discussed in a neurological CPC and the chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that the patient had vascular parkinsonism due to lacunar state. However, paucity of vascular changes in her CT scan remained as a question. Other participants thought that she had nigral cell loss secondary to her aging and circulatory disturbance which would have been caused by her sick sinus syndrome. Post-mortem examination revealed marked loss of nigral pigmented cells; the cell loss was diffusely seen in the substantia nigra. Neurofibrillary tangles were seen in the remaining neurons. In addition, gliosis was noted in the globus pallidus and the subthalamic nucleus, however, neuronal loss was very mild in those nuclei. In the superior colliculus, neuronal loss was mild, however, gliosis was seen. No clear neuronal loss was observed in the locus coeruleus, however, Lewy bodies were seen in the remaining neurons. Furthermore, Lewy bodies were also found in the substantia sigra. It was thought that she had progressive supranuclear play (PSP). Question was whether or not she was complicated by Parkinson's disease. Clinically, she had no rigidity or tremor. Pathologically, locus coeruleus did not show neuronal loss. Therefore, incidental Lewy body disease was raised as a possibility. Finally, it should be pointed out that she had no oculomotor disturbance or dementia, yet she had PSP. Her clinical features were those of pure akinesia. Pathologic changes were also relatively mild except for those in the substantia nigra. Possibility of post-encephalitic parkinsonism without encephalitis was also discussed, however, over all distribution of her pathologic changes was more consistent with PSP.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Effect of thoracoscopic procedure versus standard posterolateral/muscle-sparing thoracotomy on pulmonary lung function].

To understand the effects of thoracoscopic approach to thoracotomy on lung function, we investigated the changes in lung function after thoracoscopic operation (n = 7) and compared them to those after standard posterolateral (n = 5) or muscle-sparing thoracotomy (n = 6). In 18 patients with benign lung tumor in which surgical treatment resected in partial resection of the lung tissue, we measured TLC, VC, RV, FEV1.0, FEV1.0%, Peak Flow and DLco preoperatively and at 2, 4 weeks postoperatively. In the standard posterolateral or muscle-sparing thoracotomy groups, FVC, TLC, FEV1.0 and Peak Flow decreased to about 80% of preoperative value at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks after operation, these values showed to increase some what, but did not reach to the preoperative value. Whereas, the thoracoscopic procedure group, did not show the decrease in lung function through the time course. There was not significant different between standard posterolateral and muscle-sparing thoracotomy. We conclude that thoracoscopic approach is an useful technique to thoracotomy because of its minimizing after thoracotomy effect of lung function loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

PET imaging of brain tumor with [methyl-11C]choline.

UNLABELLED: This article describes a new method of [11C]choline synthesis for intravenous injection. We aimed at the utilization of this compound for brain tumor imaging with PET. METHODS: After [11C]carbon dioxide production in a cyclotron and the subsequent [11C]methyl iodide synthesis, [methyl-11C]choline was synthesized by the reaction of [11C]methyl iodide with "neat" dimethylaminoethanol at 120 degrees C for 5 min. Purification was achieved by evaporation of the reactants followed by passage of the aqueous solution of the product through a cation-exchange resin cartridge. The time required for overall chemical processing, excluding the cyclotron operation, was 15 min. Radiochemical yield was > 98%. Radiochemical purity was > 98%. Chemical purity was > 90% (dimethylaminoethanol was the only possible impurity). Specific radioactivity of the product was > 133 GBq/mumol. The whole body distribution was examined in rabbits with PET. Clinical studies were performed in patients with brain tumor using PET after intravenous injection of 370 MBq of [11C]choline. RESULTS: In rabbits,[11C]choline was taken up from blood by various tissues very rapidly, and the radioactivity remaining in blood became almost negligible 5 min after intravenous injection. Taking advantage of this characteristic, we obtained stable tissue distribution images of human brain using PET. In patients with brain tumor, PET produced clearly delineated positive images of the tumors. CONCLUSION: Carbon-11-choline can be used for obtaining clear images of brain tumor in PET.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

[Development of core/targetoid fibers in the diaphragm of chronically hypercapnic rats].

We tested the hypothesis that chronic hypercapnia contributes to the development of core/targetoid fibers in ventilatory muscles. Five Wistar rats were kept in 5% CO2 in air for 13 weeks. Arterial blood gases (mean +/- SE) were pH 7.402 +/- 0.017, PaCO2 47.4 +/- 2.4 Torr, and PaO2 105.2 +/- 13.2 Torr. While the rats were chronically hypercapnic, their mean minute ventilation was about 1.7 times higher than that of rats that breathed air. This level was maintained throughout the exposure to CO2. Approximately 6% to 12% of the diaphragmatic type-I fibers were replaced by core/targetoid fibers in 3 of 5 chronically hypercapnic rats but not in the 3 control rats. Chronic hypercapnia may have continuously stimulated the respiratory center and resulted in more work done by the ventilatory muscles. Long-term overuse of the ventilatory muscles, which may occur in patients with chronic respiratory failure, can cause morphological changes in type-I fibers in the diaphragm.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Endemic fluorosis in southern China: radiological findings].

Fluorosis continues to be prevalent in the southern regions of China. The endemic fluorosis caused by inhalation of fluoride-containing coal dust etiologically contrasts with the common occurrence of endemic fluorosis due to the intake of fluoride-containing water. We investigated the radiologic findings in 49 affected individuals in a district of this region. More than 80% of patients exhibited radiologic evidence of skeletal fluorosis, and most patients belonged to stage 3 of Singh and Jolly's classification. The most common skeletal abnormality was ossification of the interosseous ligaments in the extremities, which warranted radiographic examination of the limbs as a tool for screening.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[(Neurological CPC.55). A 60-year-old woman with progressive cerebellar ataxia, myoclonus, and dementia].

We report a 60-year-old woman with progressive ataxia, myoclonus, choreoathetosis, and dementia. She was well until 27 years of the age when she noted an onset of gait disturbance and speech disturbance. She noted abnormal involuntary movements in her four limbs at 42 years of the age. Her symptoms had progressively become worse and she fell down frequently by her 52 years of the age. In addition, her family members noted gradual decline in her intelligence. She was admitted to our hospital in February of 1993 when she was 57-year-old. On admission, she showed dementia, scanning speech, ataxic gait, limb ataxia, action myoclonus, and choreic movements which involved her four limbs. Deep tendon reflexes were slightly exaggerated in the lower limbs; no Babinski sign was noted. Sensation was intact. Laboratory findings were unremarkable. Cerebral MRI revealed atrophy of the cerebellar cortex, superior cerebellar peduncle, brain stem, and the cerebral cortex; the third ventricle and the lateral ventricles were dilated; furthermore, T2-high signal lesions were seen in the cerebral white matter and in the pontine base. Her clinical course was one of the progressive deterioration of her ataxia, involuntary movements, and dementia. She expired on April 24, 1996 when she was 60-year-old. She was discussed in a neurologic CPC and the chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that the patient had dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy. A minor opinion was that she might have had myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers. Postmortem examination revealed atrophy, gliosis, and neuronal loss in the external segment of the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, red nucleus, and in the dentate nucleus. In addition, the gracil and cuneiform nuclei showed neuronal loss and spheroid formation; the spinocerebellar tracts were retained. The substantia nigra and the locus coeruleus were intact. No ragged-red fibers were seen in the muscle biopsy specimen taken in February, 1993. The neuropathologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy.

Atrophy↗